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Residents press council for clarity on fate of former state hospital site
Summary
Several residents used public comment on Feb. 4 to press the council about the future of the former Wyoming State Hospital campus, asking when an RFP will be issued and what the state intends to do with the roughly 112-acre site. City staff said the property is state-owned and Historic Wyoming had issued an RFP in May; commenters urged transparency and suggested alternative uses including housing or a trade-school campus.
Multiple residents turned to the public-comment microphone at the Feb. 4 Evanston City Council meeting to ask about the future of the former Wyoming State Hospital campus and to urge transparency from state and local officials.
Kathy Cook opened public comment by asking when a request for proposals would be issued for bids on the old state hospital property. Mayor and staff members replied that the city does not own the property, that the state is the owner and that Historic Wyoming issued a request for proposals in May; staff said they would send Cook the relevant documents and prior correspondence, including the governor's and mayor's comments and any veto materials in the record.
Several speakers urged the council to press the state for details. One resident said the demolition stay that had been passed was a one-year amendment and asked what the state planned to do with roughly 112 acres on a prime hill site: "What do they plan to do with that land? Are they going to leave it derelict? Are they going to put something that benefits the community there?" the resident asked, calling for clearer information from state officials. Another commenter reported that Sen. Wendy Schueller had discussed a potential trade-school proposal that could use the existing buildings as a campus and do restorative work while training construction trades.
Councilors and staff said they continue to seek information from state partners and that any formal RFP or demolition decisions are controlled by the state; staff committed to sending documents and follow-up information to the speakers who requested it.
No formal council action on the hospital property was taken at the meeting; the council heard public concern and requested staff follow up with available state materials.
