An Urbanist Look at the Lewis & Clark Branch Library
For quite a while now I’ve seen the posts about saving St. Louis County’s 1963 Lewis & Clark Branch, located at 9909 Lewis & Clark Blvd.
![The east facade of the branch of the St. Louis County Library](http://www.urbanreviewstl.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/lewisandclarkbranch01.jpg)
Here are some examples of the posts:
- October 2013
- February 2014
- March 2014
I hadn’t written about this subject before because I’d never been to the Lewis & Clark branch, but that changed Friday. I took the #40 (Broadway) MetroBus to the Riverview Transit Center, then the #27 (No County Shuttle) directly to the library. I spent some time inside both levels, and outside.
Here is an incomplete list of arguments for both sides:
Arguments in support of replacement:
- Over 50 years old, old plumbing & electrical. etc.
- Poor relationship to neighborhood, main street
- Windows are inefficient
- Doesn’t meet ADA guidelines
- Can remain open while new building is built
Arguments in support of renovating/adding on
- Only branch in St. Louis County considered architecturally significant
- Designed by Frederick Dunn
- Design still looks good, fresh
- Reusing the existing structure more sustainable than dumping it into a landfill
- This part of St. Louis County has few structures on which residents can take pride.
![The library seemed very busy during my Friday morning visit.](http://www.urbanreviewstl.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/lewisandclarkbranch02.jpg)
![The drinking fountains on the lower level don't meet the ADA, still not a reason to discard the rest.](http://www.urbanreviewstl.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/lewisandclarkbranch03.jpg)
![Looking back toward the bus stop we need more ADA issues. Site issues, however, don't require new building to be addressed.](http://www.urbanreviewstl.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/lewisandclarkbranch04.jpg)
Based on my observations, the library is too small by today’s standards. It seemed busy during my morning visit, much more space is needed. ModernSTL proposed a pretty predictable addition, which copies the original design. Good additions to historic buildings don’t mimic or repeat the original. That said, the idea is right. New entry connecting old & new wings.
![Concept from ModernSTL with original on the left and addition on the right. Click to view their post](http://www.urbanreviewstl.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/lewisandclarkbranch05.jpg)
I do like the idea of turning the entry toward Lewis & Clark Blvd(367), and getting St. Louis County/MoDOT to put a public sidewalk along the west side of 367 from Chambers Rd to Berwyn Dr, roughly 3/10 of a mile. This would connect users of the #61 MetroBus route on Chambers Rd to the library site. Currently only a shoulder exists. Better pedestrian connection in the area should be considered and planned for regardless if a new building is built or the existing structure gets a needed addition.
I don’t think the St. Louis County Library board has given any thought toward renovating this historic structure, which is a real pity. We need leadership that considers retention of historic structures, especially when it is their only one!
— Steve Patterson