Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Revitalization topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Laramie Main Street outlines façade grants, farmers market growth and downtown investments
Summary
Director Sherwood updated council on Main Street Alliance programs: 27 façade grants (about $56,000 in city-funded awards), $300,000 in private match, an expanded farmers market claimed to generate roughly $2 million annually, and lessons learned from Third Street construction outreach.
Director Sherwood presented the Main Street Alliance annual update during the council’s May 26 work session, highlighting downtown revitalization activities and program metrics.
Sherwood said the organization has awarded 27 façade grants worth about $56,000 (requiring private match), which Sherwood estimated leveraged roughly $300,000 in private investment. She described marketing, placemaking and design projects, partnerships with Visit Laramie and the University of Wyoming, and a campaign to reframe downtown as an "experience" to increase foot traffic.
On the farmers market, Sherwood reported vendor survey results showing average vendor sales of about $1,600 per market, with roughly 90 vendors per market and 15 markets annually — a pattern she summarized as generating an estimated $2 million in sales circulating in the community. Sherwood also described social programs tied to the market: a SNAP match program and the Good Neighbor program, which donated 434 pounds of fresh food last year to a local soup kitchen.
Council members asked about vacancy rates, marketing partnerships and how Main Street measures ROI; Sherwood said the group tracks data monthly and participates in statewide accreditation and verification through Main Street America.
The presentation closed with an offer to share lessons learned from Third Street construction outreach for other projects.
