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Reed Avenue corridor moves to 35% design; consultants and railroad review next steps for crossings and potential passenger station
Summary
City staff said the Reed Avenue master plan is complete and a 35% design package has been submitted to the railroad for review. Council discussed demonstration blocks, funding needs (estimated $14 million total), potential railroad crossing eliminations, and long‑term passenger rail station options including three conceptual sites.
Cheyenne staff told the council the Reed Avenue corridor master plan is complete and that a 35% design package has been submitted to BNSF for review; staff expects railroad comments within the next few months and plans public outreach after receiving the railroad’s input.
City engineer Steve Cobb proposed constructing an initial demonstration block — suggested between 20th and 21st streets — to show the corridor concept and spur further private investment. Councilors noted available local funding balances (6th‑penny and other balances) and discussed aligning a demonstration block with a future ballot item for additional funding; staff said roughly $2.3 million of 6‑penny funds are currently available though some will be needed for a railroad crossing elimination grant match.
Consultants presented three conceptual passenger‑station alternatives in a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) review: a spur adjacent to the main line, an alignment near property the city owns off Missile Drive (Old Happy Jack property), and a concept routing through or under the former steam plant building downtown. Council discussion touched on feasibility and costs: Cobb presented draft capital cost estimates (draft figures noted in session; examples included a $30.9 million cost for an Old Happy Jack option, $54.9 million for steam plant option, and $49.2 million for a Reed Avenue stop track scenario in the draft material).
Several councilors urged caution about promoting passenger rail elements prematurely; others urged the city to cohere the Reed Avenue corridor plan with potential passenger rail and spur lines to make a competitive case for grants and private investment. Councilors asked staff to provide the railroad’s review, a public outreach plan, and cost data for building a single demonstration block and for incremental phasing options before placing new funding measures on a ballot.
No final funding decisions or ballot commitments were made. Staff said they will return when the railroad’s review and public input are available and recommended proceeding with the 35% design submittal process while preparing targeted demonstrations to show tangible local results.
