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Long-vacant historic building and adjacent “hole” to become affordable housing
Wyoming Tribune Eagle
A long-idle downtown corner in Cheyenne may soon see new life after a developer secured more than $6 million in state and federal housing funds to transform the historic Hynds Building and adjacent “hole” into a 69-unit affordable housing development. The Hynds Building has been mostly empty since 1985, and the “hole” has been empty since a fire burned what used to be Mary’s Bake Shoppe in 2004. Mayor Patrick Collins told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle that the city has been working with a developer for the past couple of years, as well as Cheyenne LEADS, to bring housing downtown. Read the full story.
Cheyenne delays new law on private memorials on public property
Cap City News
The Cheyenne City Council is going back to the drawing board on a new law targeting private displays on public property after voting to delay the measure so a substitute can be drafted to balance safety concerns with the community’s desire to honor the deceased. The proposed regulation, which would prohibit unauthorized private displays on public property, sparked discussion regarding the balance between government oversight and the community’s need to grieve. Councilor Kathy Emmons spoke against the postponement and ordinance itself, sharing a personal story about a memorial bench for her late son and a well-maintained roadside memorial on Nationway, Cap City News reports. Read the full story.
Rock Springs nears $5M for Bitter Creek restoration with Hageman’s support
Rocket Miner
Rock Springs is seeing a massive return on its investment in federal advocacy, with a multi-million dollar restoration of Bitter Creek now within reach. According to a recent memorandum from the city’s federal relations firm, Merchant McIntyre Associated, the city is “currently looking at a 22-to-1 return on investment.” This follows the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee’s approval of a $2 million earmark for the project. Mayor Max Mickelson noted the total successful allocation for Bitter Creek mitigation — driven by Rep. Harriet Hageman’s office and Merchant McIntyre — has now reached $5 million, the Rocket Miner reports. Read the full story.
Green River hopes to repair tank critical to city’s water supply
Green River Star
Green River is looking into repairing a water tank that provides water for roughly a third of the city’s residents. The Green River City Council held a public hearing to discuss the planned Teton Water Tank Rehabilitation Project and the city’s intention to apply for a loan through the Wyoming Office of State Land Investments and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds program. City officials say the tank, originally built in 1976, is a crucial piece of the city’s water infrastructure, serving residential neighborhoods, schools, Castle Rock Medical Center, the recreation center and other commercial buildings, the Green River Star reports. Read the full story.