City of Cheyenne moves forward on renovating depot and pumphouse, expands DDA district
CHEYENNE — At this week's city council meeting, the governing body voted to expand the Downtown Development Authority district and moved forward with plans to renovate the historic Cheyenne pumphouse and the Cheyenne Depot.
DDA expansionThe expansion of the DDA district was approved to now include property southwest of 23rd Street and Bent Avenue, commonly referred to as the Mead Triangle, as well as St. Mary's School.
According to the DDA staff report, this inclusion may stimulate economic activities, attract new businesses and create jobs within the expanded district. It also notes that it can lead to infrastructure upgrades through grants available to the properties from the DDA.
DDA expansion map
A map displaying the area, outlined in blue, approved to now be included in the DDA, outlined in red.
"The inclusion supports the DDA's goal of fostering a vibrant downtown community, contributing to a cohesive and thriving urban environment," the report said. "Expanding the district aligns with the long-term strategic vision, promoting orderly and planned development."
Councilmember Pete Laybourn said he is in favor of the addition because it is near the Reed Avenue Corridor, which he hopes will be revitalized and developed in the near future through ongoing efforts.
"When that happens, I think the benefit will flow to not only the district, but that extension," he said. "I previously noted my concern that we don't do this sort of addition to the district in the future, but I think with the Reed Avenue Corridor project, this is justified."
Councilmember Michelle Aldrich was the only vote in opposition to the addition before it was approved because she said she had heard concerns from several individuals who belong to the DDA on how this will impact grant funding availability for them.
"Several of these entities are already considered tax-exempt entities, and really the only benefit to them or to us as a community of having them be part of this DDA expansion is for them to be able to access grant funding," she said.
Cheyenne DepotThe governing body passed an initial agreement with Reiman Corp. for $1,426,265 for services to renovate the Cheyenne Depot.
Updates include renovation of the existing first-floor public restrooms, repair and/or replacement of the exterior Depot Lobby doors (five locations total) and development of a pedestrian patio on the southwest side of the building.
Councilmembers Aldrich and Tom Segrave thanked voters for voting to support the funding for this project through the 2021 specific purpose option tax funds.
"What we're seeing here today with this is an effort to keep the building and the property in a functioning capacity," Segrave said. "The things we did 25 years ago now need updating and renovation and maintenance, if you will. There is some additional work being done on the south side of the building, but a lot of the work in this bid is for updates that ... needs to be done."
Project completion is scheduled for March 31, 2025. The approval was unanimous, with councilmember Jeff White recusing himself for possible conflict of interest.
Historic pumphouseThe council unanimously voted in favor of a contract with TDSi to complete construction documents for the historic pumphouse by April 15, 2025 for $424,400. That will be followed by a bidding and negotiation phase to select a contractor to execute the vision that TDSi outlines.
"One aspect of this long discussed, and I think very important project, is the floodplain itself that this sits in that would be eventually improved with the 19th Street project nearby," Laybourn said. "So, when we look at this, I would particularly call everyone's attention to the fact that the site itself is a lot more than the building. It is a Greenway junction, it is a wetland treatment of stormwater runoff and it is an area that needs some real beautification outside of the building itself. ... It certainly is a step that those of us that believe in architectural preservation have been waiting for a long time."
Old Chicago liquor licenseIn 2006, 1734 Partners started the Cheyenne location of Old Chicago, and they sold it to the corporate company in 2014.
Earlier this year, in April, Cheyenne's Old Chicago location permanently closed without warning.
They signed a 10-year lease on the building and are now seeking approval of the transfer of the liquor license back to them from Old Chicago as they intend to repurpose the building.
A 1734 Partners company, Johnson Restaurant Group, operates restaurants in the state of Wyoming under the Old Chicago brand, FireRock Steakhouse, Wyoming Ale Works and J's Pub and Grill. John Johnson, representing 1734 Partners, said the options are opening one of those locations at the former Old Chicago property or leasing it out.
"We've been approached with a lease, and so we're trying to weigh those options," he said.
Councilmember Richard Johnson said he had heard rumors that a company hoping to lease the building will operate off-track betting there. He asked John Johnson about this, who said he is under a nondisclosure agreement with the lessee and cannot disclose that information.
The item was discussed as a public hearing and will head to Cheyenne City Council's finance committee next week for further discussion.
