CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A long-neglected piece of Cheyenne’s industrial history is poised for a second life following a committee vote to repurpose the Historic Pumphouse near the Ames Underpass.
The Finance Committee on Wednesday recommended a $198,903 design contract with TDSi to transform the stone structure into a permanent headquarters for the city’s Clean and Safe team.
Community Recreation and Events Director Jason Sanchez told the committee the department has sought a permanent location for the team for years. Currently, the four-person crew operates out of a converted storage area in the Spiker Parking Garage that lacks plumbing. Sanchez said the project would preserve the historic building while providing necessary office space and equipment storage.
While the committee unanimously supported the intent of the project, a procedural debate emerged regarding the scope of work. Councilor Ken Esquibel, serving as chair, presided as Councilor Jeff White and Councilor Kathy Emmons discussed a substitute motion proposed by Councilman Lawrence Wolfe.
Wolfe presented a revised scope of work he drafted overnight, which included photographs, specific details on landscaping and fencing, and a description of the Clean and Safe program to increase public transparency. He argued the changes would help the public understand exactly what is being preserved and what is being demolished.
However, Emmons and White expressed concern about voting on a document that had not yet been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office. Deputy City Attorney David Hopkinson told the committee that while he did not suspect legal issues with Wolfe’s changes, best practices dictate that the legal department review attachments to contracts before approval.
The committee voted down the substitute motion to amend the scope of work. It subsequently voted to recommend the original contract with TDSi for approval, with the understanding that the legal department could review the proposed changes before the full City Council meeting Monday.
Public comment on the Pumphouse project was supportive. Megan Stanfill, executive director of the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, and Maren Kallas, vice president of Historic Cheyenne Inc., both endorsed the plan as a viable way to save the structure from demolition.
In other business, the committee recommended approval of a $487,560 bid from Aztec Construction Co. Inc. for the Kiwanis Park Trail and Constructed Wetlands project. The project includes the construction of new wetlands, pedestrian gravel trails and bird blinds. City planner Jean Anderson-Shrednik said the project is supported by funds from the 2017 specific purpose tax and donations from several community organizations, including the Kiwanis Club and the High Plains Audubon Society.
The committee also advanced the purchase of two heavy-duty vehicles. A bid of $253,260 was recommended for a new truck for the Forestry Division to assist with emergency tree removal. The committee approved a $848,639 bid for a recycling vacuum and high-pressure water jet truck for the Street and Alley Division to maintain storm sewers as well.
Also on the agenda was a contract modification with Simon Contractors for the Public Works Improvements project. The committee approved an additional $266,406 to repair crumbling concrete at City Hall, the Fleet Maintenance facility and the Transfer Station.
The Finance Committee forwarded a utility easement agreement with Microsoft Corp. regarding underground fiber lines near the JL Ranch subdivision. During public comment, Brad Emmons, representing Microsoft, said the cost of the required appraisal exceeded the $1,265 value of the easement itself. He suggested the council consider a flat-fee policy for small easements to streamline future processes.
All items recommended by the Finance Committee will move to the full City Council for final consideration.
The agenda with a link to supporting documents is attached below.