Rendering courtesy of Snøhetta and PLOMP
Early Planning Paves the Way for a New Presidential Library
The exciting announcement comes as anticipation builds for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library this summer. Public agencies, engineers, nonprofit partners, and community organizations across the region have been working together to prepare for what comes next. While Medora is already a popular seasonal destination, the scale and visibility of the Library’s opening combined with the spotlight of a nationwide celebration have sparked a renewed emphasis on collaboration.
Preparing for a Presidential Project
From the earliest phases of conceptual site selection to strategic regional tourism planning, the groundwork has supported not only a world-class presidential library but also a stronger, more connected, and more visitor-ready southwest North Dakota.
The design of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is shaped by the surrounding Badlands and Roosevelt’s own history there, with natural light entering the building from multiple directions, a prairie-planted roof that visitors can walk atop for panoramic views, and trails and boardwalks that create a direct connection to the landscape. The site incorporates recycled and natural materials, generates solar energy through photovoltaic (PV) canopies, and manages stormwater and wastewater on-site, all of which support the project’s commitment to meeting the rigorous standards of the Living Building Challenge and LEED certification.
Key Takeaways
1. Early planning made a complex, high impact project possible
Long before construction began, detailed site analysis, cost evaluations, and feasibility studies helped guide smart decisions, ensuring the library is both visionary and practical.
2. Sustainability and site integration are central to the design
The library is designed to blend into the Badlands while meeting high environmental standards, featuring solar energy, on site water management, and natural materials aligned with Living Building Challenge and LEED goals.
3. The project is driving major regional growth and tourism planning
The library is more than a destination. It is a catalyst. Communities across southwest North Dakota are preparing for increased visitors through improved infrastructure, expanded amenities, and coordinated regional marketing.
Rendering courtesy of Snøhetta and Moare
AE2S was engaged long before design renderings or construction equipment reached the site. In the earliest stages, the engineering team provided the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation with essential analysis to guide location decisions. This work included:
- Site exhibits and alternatives.
- Detailed cost estimates.
- Construction phasing options.
- Pros/cons and feasibility evaluations.
This early guidance ensured decision-makers had a clear understanding of what was possible and what was practical, while evaluating potential sites.
Project Partners
Design Architect/Design Landscape Architect: Snøhetta
Architect of Record: JLG
Landscape Architect of Record: Confluence
As the project advanced, AE2S continued supporting both the Library design team and local partners, including the Medora Foundation, helping evaluate secondary access routes and addressing U.S. Forest Service accessibility. These early technical assessments set the stage for a project that is both visionary and feasible.
Engineering the Essential Systems Behind the Experience
As the local civil engineering partner, working alongside Sherwood Engineers, AE2S supported the critical site systems outside of the structure that allow the Library to serve visitors safely and sustainably. This includes:
Potable Water Supply: Ensuring reliable, clean drinking water to a remote site required careful planning and infrastructure development.
Grading and Stormwater Engineering: The grading plan balances architectural goals with stormwater requirements, with interconnected systems treating runoff before discharge to protect natural resources.
Access, Circulation, and Site Logistics: Site plan development included safe circulation for vehicles and pedestrians, utility coordination, parking solutions, and integration of sustainable features such as solar-generating PV canopies in portions of the parking lot.
Renderings courtesy of Snøhetta and PLOMP
Planning for What Comes Next: Regional Readiness for Increased Tourism
The Library’s upcoming opening is already advancing regional planning efforts. The Southwest North Dakota Tourism Strategic Vision Plan, spearheaded by the Roosevelt Custer Regional Council with the support of AE2S Communications, is helping the region prepare for a substantial increase in visitors and the potential for an expanded tourism season.
In 2023 alone, North Dakota welcomed 25.6 million visitors, generating $3.3 billion in annual economic impact. With the Library projected to draw a national and international audience, communities across the Roosevelt Custer region are planning proactively.
Key regional priorities include:
- Wayfinding and signage improvements to help visitors navigate rural roads and attractions
- Downtown revitalization to create welcoming first impressions
- Expanded lodging, dining, and retail options to support longer stays
- Enhanced cultural and historic site promotion to distribute visitor traffic across counties
- Year-round recreation development to jumpstart an extended tourism season
- Coordinated regional marketing aligned under the “Wide Open Wonder” brand to encourage longer stays and help visitors explore the roads less traveled
These priorities are grounded in extensive stakeholder engagement, site assessments, data analysis, and community input, ensuring local voices shape the future of tourism.
Just the Beginning
The opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library builds on a long-standing commitment to thoughtful planning across southwest North Dakota. The work completed to date has been grounded in collaboration among public agencies, nonprofit organizations, tourism leaders, and engineering partners.
AE2S remains a committed partner to the Medora Foundation, providing ongoing engineering, planning, and legislative liaison support that advances community priorities. Together, these efforts will strengthen local economies while welcoming generations of visitors to experience the adventure and wonder of the region, well beyond the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
“Growing up in southwestern North Dakota, I was aware of only a small portion of what the landscape offered for tourism assets. Viewing this area through the lens of a new visitor really opened my eyes to all the amazing places, people, and things the region has to offer. With the opening of the architectural masterpiece that is the Theodore Roosevelt Presential Library, I can’t wait for everyone to have the same experience I did when conducting the asset inventory for the SW tourism project. I hope the hidden gems they find along the way will create countless lasting memories!”
– Andrew Spratta
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