ST. LOUIS — Major renovations are underway inside the old courthouse in downtown St. Louis. The $24.5 million project is the last phase of massive improvements at the Gateway Arch National Park.
Architects are working to showcase history in a new state-of-the-art facility that preserves the character of the old St. Louis courthouse that's made its mark on American history.
The old courthouse on Market Street was the site of the first two trials in the Dred and Harriet Scott cases back in the mid-1800s, as the couple fought for freedom.
That's why the Gateway Arch Park Foundation said it has an important goal in mind.
"To ensure that we're always learning from our past so it can inform our future,” Ryan McClure with the Gateway Arch National Park Foundation said.
Wednesday afternoon, 5 On Your Side got an inside look at the work to make that a reality. Now closed to the public, a major transformation is underway making the old courthouse more accessible.
"For the first time in this building’s history people with mobility issues or challenges can use this elevator to get from the first and second floor,” Gateway Arch National Park superintendent Jeremy Sweat said.
There will be new modern exhibits.
"Over 300 freedom suits were filed here in the old courthouse by individuals who were seeking their freedom … this gallery will provide that context of what was going on in St. Louis during that time,” Pam Sanfilippo with the Gateway Arch National Park said.
Officials also want to make sure there are health and safety accommodations along with the upgrades.
"Replacing the HVAC, fire suppression, the water, the electric, make sure everything is up to code, modernized,” Sweat said.
The work got underway in February. Less than a year into the two-year renovation, crews are discovering what they never knew existed.
"You can see these vaulted brick ceilings, we had no idea these were here … there's a lot of things we found as we were digging underground, old piping, old historic features that were really cool,” Sweat said.
Combining the old with the new to showcase St. Louis' history to the world.
"We’re really pleased with the progress being made,” he added.
Renovations are expected to be finished with the public be able to access and view the new modern facility come spring or summer of 2025.
