Jewish Federation of St. Louis plans to conduct a major renovation of its facilities in Creve Coeur. 

The first phase of the project will cost $3.5 million and include a new elevator at the three-story building at 12 Millstone Campus Drive; adding Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bathrooms; a new family restroom; and a redesign of the front entrance to improve security and accessibility, according to a news release.

An anonymous donor and the Staenberg Family Foundation are funding the project. Construction on the first phase is expected to begin in May and take about a year. 

“Through these improvements, the Jewish Federation of St. Louis hopes to create a more welcoming facility that promotes engagement within the Jewish community and serve our entire region,” the release states. 

The Federation building will stay open during renovations. The building also houses the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis, the Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library and the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center (HMLC).

Federation also plans to renovate the space occupied by the HMLC but has not provided specifics about plans and is still calculating costs for the project, according to Amy Pakett, communications manager at Federation. The anonymous donor has also given money for the museum renovations. 

The donation will allow the organization “to plan a significant renovation for its critically important and now 21-year-old museum,” the release states. “The changes will allow the HMLC to remain a relevant educational resource for over 30,000 visitors each year.”