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Downtown leaders report volunteer surge, housing plans and new retailers for downtown Rawlins
Summary
Rawlins Downtown Development Authority reported expanded volunteer support, events to drive foot traffic, plans to restore the Ferguson building into condominiums and early interest from an outdoor retailer during a June 3 City Council meeting.
Pam Thayer, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, told the Rawlins City Council on June 3 that volunteers and private partners have provided more than 200 hours of support over recent months, which she said the DDA values at roughly $7,000 using independent-sector calculations. "We just couldn't be successful without all these volunteer hours," Thayer said.
Thayer outlined a slate of summer events — including a family-focused July 11 program and a Friday open-mic and scavenger-hunt night — intended to draw visitors into downtown businesses. She said volunteers and city departments have worked on beautification projects such as tree grates, the Depot Park splash pad, picnic tables and litter removal.
On housing, Thayer said transom windows for the Ferguson building have been ordered and that a consultant-funded feasibility study is pending. "There will be potentially eight two-bedroom, two-bath condos and then a public event space on the main floor," she said, adding the DDAis financing restoration work with fundraising rather than city funds.
Thayer said the DDA is pursuing a longer-term plan to market Rawlins as the only location where the Continental Divide Trail, the Lincoln Highway, the transcontinental railroad corridor and the TransAmerica Bike Route intersect. She said the DDA has a lead on a roughly $500,000 foundation grant but the funder wants concept signoff from the city council before committing.
Thayer also described recruitment progress: she said two new downtown businesses are expected to announce locations soon and that a separate prospective outdoor retailer spent several days in the county assessing sites and properties and "said we're gonna be here before the season ends." Thayer said the prospective store would sell paddleboards, kayaks and other outdoor gear and carry supplies for through-travelers on long-distance trails.
Council members asked whether fire-suppression costs and other regulatory barriers remain a constraint on converting upper floors into residences. Thayer said the Ferguson project will include fire suppression and that the feasibility study will provide detailed cost estimates.
The report concluded with Thayer urging council and staff collaboration on the four-block Continental Divide concept and asking for a future work session before the DDA pursues design development or grant commitments.
Thayeropened for questions and council members pressed for detail on the feasibility study and fire-suppression cost estimates.
