Cheyenne approves TDSI design contract to repurpose historic pump house as base for clean-and-safe program

The Cheyenne City Council on Feb. 23 approved a professional services agreement with TDSI to design the adaptive reuse of the city's historic pump house as a base for the Clean and Safe program.

Historic Cheyenne Incorporated and members of the public urged the council to preserve the structure and use the site to connect the Greenway and nearby wetlands to downtown. "Restoring integrity to the pump house will have the adjacent benefit of opening up a proper path that would finally connect bikers and walkers safely to downtown," the group's vice president told the council during public comment.

Councilman Wolf introduced a substitute scope that adds photos, clarifying exhibits and additional considerations for access, fencing and landscaping so readers of the contract can more clearly identify which parts of the structure will be rehabilitated, replaced or demolished. TDSI confirmed in the meeting that the firm had reviewed and accepted the revised scope.

The finance committee recommended an award "not to exceed" $198,903 for the professional services. Council adopted the substitute and approved the contract as amended. Supporters framed the design contract as a cost-effective way to save a historic building and provide a consolidated space for clean-and-safe staff and equipment, instead of a more expensive external solution.

Next steps: staff and TDSI will proceed with the design work described in the amended scope; construction funding and future capital appropriation will be subject to later council action.

Vote: council adopted the substitute and approved the professional services agreement as amended by voice vote.