City of Cheyenne considers $4 million restoration of 133-year-old pumphouse
CHEYENNE — The historic pumphouse in downtown Cheyenne was constructed in 1892 and has been out of commission since 1920. Now, the city is considering spending an estimated $4 million to renovate it and lease it out.
Last year, this was one of Cheyenne City Council's top priorities. On Friday, members of the governing body met to hear updates on the project.
Randy Byers, the principal architect with design firm TDSi, gave a presentation about the historic pumphouse and potential ways to pursue the idea. From the outside, he said, the building looks like it's on its last leg and about to crumble. However, Byers said, its condition is not as bad as it seems.
'It looks like it's about ready to come down,' he said. 'Honestly, every time we are at the building, doing more reconnaissance and field measurement and an examination of the building, each time I am more amazed at what good shape overall the structure of the building is in.'
He said there are no stress cracks in the brick walls, which is common in other buildings with similar bricks, and that some roof members are charred from fires through the years, which has possibly protected the rest of the wood.
'Overall, the building is in resoundingly good shape for its age and for what it's been through, and it is certainly worthy of examination and consideration for repurposing and restoration,' he said.
The pumphouse is constructed in the Richardsonian Romanesque architecture style, the same as the historic Cheyenne Depot, and currently is around 3,800 square feet.
When the building was first put into use, it pulled water from Crow Creek, and there was a 2.5-million-gallon concrete-lined reservoir on the west side of the building. In the heart of the pumphouse was a Holly duplex steam pump.
When in commission, the pump produced 2 million gallons of water per day and pressurized the fire hydrants in town to 100 psi. Before telephones were available at the facility, the fire department would ring a bell when they needed the pressure upped at fire hydrants. Byers said the facility was manned and operated nearly 24 hours per day.
Byers said his team was mindful of preserving and restoring the history of the structure in putting together the renovation plan, while also working with the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, which is interested in leasing the space when renovated, to meet the needs of its offices.
This plan includes tenant offices, workstations, restrooms and a large conference room. Byers said he anticipates utilizing the large attic space for mechanical equipment storage.
The original roofing on the building was tin shingles, and Byers said his team has found sources to replace the shingles exactly as they were on the original building.
However, the full renovation of this structure will be costly, and the governing body is unsure of all funding sources at this point.
Currently there are no utilities connected to or in the building. It will need all new mechanical, electrical, interior restoration, stone renovation, roof replacement, roof reinforcement, reconstruction of the overhangs that have been cut off and brackets that have been removed to bring the building close to its original appearance.
The $4 million cost estimate includes a little over $500,000 in built-in contingency.
Another option would be to mothball the building, supporting it enough that it doesn't suffer further degradation or vandalism, but not prepare it for a tenant to move in. This is estimated to cost around $1 million.
Byers said the greatest danger for this building in the near future, if not renovated, is that it could suffer the same fate as the old Hitching Post Inn. Not necessarily arson, he said, but if a squatter starts a fire in the building to stay warm in the winter, it could quickly get out of hand and take down the structure.
The decision of whether to renovate, mothball or do nothing at all, will come before the City Council when TDSi has completed its contract for construction drawings on the project. If council members decide to move forward with renovations, bidding for the project could then begin.
Several council members asked questions and proposed ideas regarding the project. Council member Tom Segrave suggested the city consider adding amenities for the Cheyenne Greenway at the site, like a water station and a solar-powered bicycle tire air pump.
Council member Pete Laybourn suggested the city consider addressing the adjacent wetlands as part of this project, ultimately tidying the area up to further invest in West Edge revitalization at the intersection of the west end of 15th Street and the Reed Avenue Rail Corridor.
'This kind of multi-million-dollar investment deserves adjacent effort in that area,' he said.
The city approved a $424,00 contract with TDSi last September to complete construction documents for the historic pumphouse.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man who showed ‘no remorse' for KCK deli murders gets life in prison
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Nearly six years after a deadly shooting that shocked a Kansas City, Kansas, neighborhood, justice has been served. On Thursday, a Wyandotte County judge sentenced 45-year-old Jermelle Byers to two life terms in prison for a 2019 double murder that r. Inmate escapes from Johnson County work release, considered 'dangerous' The emotional courtroom was filled with family members and friends of the victims — many expressing relief, some through tears, as a victim impact statement were read aloud. The judge noted that Byers showed 'no remorse' for the killings. The violence unfolded on July 11, 2019, when Byers followed 42-year-old Lachell Day into Edwards Original Corner Market and Deli on 91 North Mill Street, following an argument. Inside the store, he opened fire. Dennis Edwards, 62, the deli owner — known in the neighborhood as a friendly face and community fixture — attempted to intervene and chase Byers out. He was , according to investigators. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri When police arrived on the scene, authorities say Byers . No officers were injured. After a two-hour standoff, Byers was taken to the hospital under police custody. Byers was originally set to face a full jury trial, but midway through the proceedings, . He later tried to withdraw that plea, but the court denied the request. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV On Tuesday, the judge handed down two concurrent life sentences for first-degree murder. Byers will not be eligible for parole for 620 months — just under 52 years. With credit for the time he's already served since 2019, his earliest possible parole date is 2071. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
City of Cheyenne considers $4 million restoration of 133-year-old pumphouse
CHEYENNE — The historic pumphouse in downtown Cheyenne was constructed in 1892 and has been out of commission since 1920. Now, the city is considering spending an estimated $4 million to renovate it and lease it out. Last year, this was one of Cheyenne City Council's top priorities. On Friday, members of the governing body met to hear updates on the project. Randy Byers, the principal architect with design firm TDSi, gave a presentation about the historic pumphouse and potential ways to pursue the idea. From the outside, he said, the building looks like it's on its last leg and about to crumble. However, Byers said, its condition is not as bad as it seems. 'It looks like it's about ready to come down,' he said. 'Honestly, every time we are at the building, doing more reconnaissance and field measurement and an examination of the building, each time I am more amazed at what good shape overall the structure of the building is in.' He said there are no stress cracks in the brick walls, which is common in other buildings with similar bricks, and that some roof members are charred from fires through the years, which has possibly protected the rest of the wood. 'Overall, the building is in resoundingly good shape for its age and for what it's been through, and it is certainly worthy of examination and consideration for repurposing and restoration,' he said. The pumphouse is constructed in the Richardsonian Romanesque architecture style, the same as the historic Cheyenne Depot, and currently is around 3,800 square feet. When the building was first put into use, it pulled water from Crow Creek, and there was a 2.5-million-gallon concrete-lined reservoir on the west side of the building. In the heart of the pumphouse was a Holly duplex steam pump. When in commission, the pump produced 2 million gallons of water per day and pressurized the fire hydrants in town to 100 psi. Before telephones were available at the facility, the fire department would ring a bell when they needed the pressure upped at fire hydrants. Byers said the facility was manned and operated nearly 24 hours per day. Byers said his team was mindful of preserving and restoring the history of the structure in putting together the renovation plan, while also working with the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, which is interested in leasing the space when renovated, to meet the needs of its offices. This plan includes tenant offices, workstations, restrooms and a large conference room. Byers said he anticipates utilizing the large attic space for mechanical equipment storage. The original roofing on the building was tin shingles, and Byers said his team has found sources to replace the shingles exactly as they were on the original building. However, the full renovation of this structure will be costly, and the governing body is unsure of all funding sources at this point. Currently there are no utilities connected to or in the building. It will need all new mechanical, electrical, interior restoration, stone renovation, roof replacement, roof reinforcement, reconstruction of the overhangs that have been cut off and brackets that have been removed to bring the building close to its original appearance. The $4 million cost estimate includes a little over $500,000 in built-in contingency. Another option would be to mothball the building, supporting it enough that it doesn't suffer further degradation or vandalism, but not prepare it for a tenant to move in. This is estimated to cost around $1 million. Byers said the greatest danger for this building in the near future, if not renovated, is that it could suffer the same fate as the old Hitching Post Inn. Not necessarily arson, he said, but if a squatter starts a fire in the building to stay warm in the winter, it could quickly get out of hand and take down the structure. The decision of whether to renovate, mothball or do nothing at all, will come before the City Council when TDSi has completed its contract for construction drawings on the project. If council members decide to move forward with renovations, bidding for the project could then begin. Several council members asked questions and proposed ideas regarding the project. Council member Tom Segrave suggested the city consider adding amenities for the Cheyenne Greenway at the site, like a water station and a solar-powered bicycle tire air pump. Council member Pete Laybourn suggested the city consider addressing the adjacent wetlands as part of this project, ultimately tidying the area up to further invest in West Edge revitalization at the intersection of the west end of 15th Street and the Reed Avenue Rail Corridor. 'This kind of multi-million-dollar investment deserves adjacent effort in that area,' he said. The city approved a $424,00 contract with TDSi last September to complete construction documents for the historic pumphouse.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Historic East Nashville church survives disaster, prepares for homecoming
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — After surviving decades of disaster, East Nashville's former Tulip Street United Methodist Church building is preparing for a special homecoming. 'It's a remarkable survivor for well over a century,' said Jim Hoobler, retired senior curator for the Tennessee State Museum and Tennessee State Capitol. Built in 1891 on Russell Street, Hoobler said the building is one of the most historic churches in East Nashville. Its original congregation—organized in 1859—moved in after it outgrew its previous building on the other end of the block. Clock over East Nashville High School honors 59 killed in WW II 'It's Richardsonian Romanesque, which means that it's architecture before gothic. So it has rounded arches, and some beautiful terracotta — that's glazed clay,' Hoobler said. Hoobler pointed out a variety of life-sized elements including cherubs, figures of the archangel Gabriel holding a trumpet and a dragon holding up a balcony. More than three decades after it was built, the church's stunning features were faced with one Nashville's most devastating tragedies — the Great East Nashville Fire of 1916. According to Hoobler, the fire is rumored to have been started by a child playing with a ball of yarn that caught fire near lumberyards by the Cumberland River. 'Bam! With all of the wind, a huge fire started. It swept through this area. It burned 650 buildings and 3,000 people were homeless,' he said. But, miraculously—the church survived. And more than 80 years later, it made it through yet another disaster in 1998. 'When the tornado came through here, it decimated the building. It blew out the entire east wall of the building, and the stained glass was lying in the street, the sanctuary was wide open,' Hoobler recalled. Why these cottage-style homes were once gas stations Still though, the church was rebuilt and remained standing. Ultimately, it wasn't a force of nature that closed it's doors in 2017, but rather low attendance. The Methodist Church decided its congregation was too small, and moved in another congregation—one that just happened to have been started at this very same church, and lost their building in a 2020 tornado. 'A church that was formed here, East End Methodist, lost their building. So they are now coming back to their mother church, and they will be worshipping in here at Tulip Street once again,' Hoobler said. East End United Methodist Church confirmed they have purchased the building and are in the process of renovating it —what Hoobler estimates is a $4.5 million project. The congregation declined a full interview with News 2 as they are in the middle of the process, but did provide some insight into their plans. | READ MORE | East End Rev. Brandon Baxter said in a statement he believes this is the congregation's best pathway forward. 'After our historic sanctuary was catastrophically damaged in the 2020 tornadoes, we had a strong desire to remain in ministry in East Nashville,' he said. Baxter added East End plans to fully renovate the building for ministry to the community while maintaining its historic character, restoring elements like the Jardine organ in the sanctuary. 'Jardine organs are late 19th century organs. It's remarkable that one of those still survives, that they've maintained it all of these years and it's still playable,' Hoobler said. Until the renovations are complete, Baxter said East End will continue to worship one block away in the auditorium at Warner Arts Magnet Elementary School. Hidden Tennessee | Discover some of the Volunteer State's best-kept secrets Hoobler said survivors like the former Tulip Street Church building show us who we are; a sentiment best portrayed by John Steinbeck in a quote he shared from 'The Grapes of Wrath.' 'She says, 'How are you going to know where you come from, unless you remember where that was?' And that's what historic structures tell us. They tell us where we came from, and they help us remember where we are,' Hoobler concluded. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
