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Councilors, preservationists clash over plans to relist Cheyenne Auxiliary Pumping Station; committee postpones action
Summary
A contested resolution to repeal prior restrictions and relist the historic Cheyenne Auxiliary Pumping Station at 1504 Dillon Avenue prompted extensive public testimony calling for preservation, disagreement over cost estimates and review authority; the Finance Committee voted to postpone to allow drafting of substitute language and seek more information.
The City of Cheyenne’s Finance Committee on Dec. 1 heard hours of testimony and questions before recommending postponement of a resolution that would repeal earlier restrictions and relist the Cheyenne Auxiliary Pumping Station (1504 Dillon Avenue) for sale or lease with revised historic-preservation terms.
Deputy City Attorney David Hopkinson summarized the resolution as a repeal of Resolution 6479 that broadens purchaser flexibility, extends the contract/lease deadline to March 27, and maintains a prohibition on full demolition while allowing limited modifications if full preservation is shown to be infeasible. Hopkinson said the resolution notes restoration costs that “exceed an estimated $5,000,000.”
Preservation advocates and professionals told the committee the resolution contains contradictory or unclear language that could be read to allow demolition. Stephanie Lowe, HCI president, said she found the wording “contradictory and confusing,” pointing to provisions that prohibit full demolition but permit reuse of facade materials if full preservation is infeasible. Architect Randy Byers said his firm’s restoration estimate was $4,031,788 and urged clearer, consistent terminology. Milward Simpson, chair of the Cheyenne Historic Preservation Board, asked that the resolution explicitly require consultation with the preservation board rather than referring generically to “the city.”
Megan Stanfill, executive director of the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, described public engagement: the city opened the site for tours and held a Nov. 16 open house that drew about 233 attendees. Several speakers suggested alternatives to demolition, including public-private partnerships and phased preservation that could draw on tax credits and grant funding.
Council members pressed staff on who would determine feasibility for partial demolition, the timeline and why March 27 was chosen. City staff explained the March date allows time for a revised bid and solicitation with the reduced preservation requirements; City Development Director Charles Blimpine noted an upcoming Historic Preservation Board meeting and recommended slowing the process so the board can prepare potential amendments.
In light of the public comments, disputed cost figures (the resolution cites $5 million while a design firm cited about $4.03 million), concerns about the meaning of “infeasible,” requests that the Historic Preservation Board be explicitly included in review steps, and calls for demolition-cost estimates, Councilman White moved to postpone. The committee voted unanimously to recommend postponement to the governing body so staff and the public can draft substitute language and provide additional cost and process information.
Next steps include drafting amended language that clarifies who must approve demolition or major alterations (advocates asked for explicit inclusion of the Cheyenne Historic Preservation Board), separating mothballing and restoration cost estimates, and providing an estimate of demolition costs before any final action.
