Amble Inn & Western Edge Books, Artwork & Music owner Doug Ellison, who sits on the Medora City Council, said the design concepts were interesting to see; that the architects appeared “very mindful” of the area’s landscape, terrain and historical integrity.
Burgum, who has called the proposed library a “front door” for North Dakota tourism, said the architects’ visions “exceeded my expectations.”
“I think that I came away even more optimistic than ever about the incredible impact, the positive impact that this could have on the entire state of North Dakota,” he said.
It’s unclear yet whether or how the library would include a road, trails or parking. One road leads up to the Burning Hills Amphitheater, and two-track trails that access the property could be upgraded, Dakota Prairie Grasslands Medora District Ranger Misty Hays said.
Snøhetta incorporated “a dramatic electric train ride” from Medora into its design concept.
A potential road would depend on the proposal, Hays said.
