22-05-2025
'A national treasure': Ribbon-cutting marks completed Cheyenne Depot renovations
CHEYENNE — Local leaders hope that newly completed renovations to the historic Cheyenne Depot will bring in more local residents and encourage tourists to spend more time downtown.
The project was completed only a few months after being approved in September, and was celebrated with a ribbon cutting on the newly updated pedestrian patio on May 13.
'These renovations will help ensure the Depot continues to meet modern needs while retaining its importance as a major historic building in Cheyenne,' said Jason Sanchez, Community Recreation and Events director.
Sanchez and his team were major contributors to this project, and have handled several other beautification projects in town. He noted that most buildings experience wear and tear over time, later requiring repairs.
By focusing on restoring original features and repairing attractive features, he hopes more people will use the building.
'This is a national treasure here,' Sanchez said. '... With the support of the taxpayers, to get ($1.4 million) to do this renovation, it was exciting to be able to bring something kind of back to life.'
The project, approved by City Council in September 2024, was allocated funding from sixth-penny sales tax funds earmarked for projects in downtown Cheyenne. The sixth-penny tax is approved by voters, with the funds allocated to specific projects.
Mayor Patrick Collins noted in his speech before the ribbon cutting that the voters who saw value in refurbishing downtown made this project possible.
'We have a beautiful downtown, we have beautiful bones,' Collins said. 'But we have curbs and gutters that needed work, we had garbage cans that needed to be worked on. We had this beautiful building that needed to be refreshed, and (voters) saw that vision.'
The $1.4 million project updated the patio on the southwest side of the depot, adding brick pavers, shade structures, tables, benches and an ornamental fence replacing the older chain link fence that used to separate the patio from the rail yard.
Renovations have also been made to the first-floor restrooms, the main lobby doors were repaired or replaced, and the kitchen has been updated to accommodate catering or concessions.
One of the major changes is the new ornamental fence that should provide security to the patio while allowing visitors to observe the rail yard.
'With people sitting out back, I didn't want them looking through a chain link fence anymore or barbed wire, so we put this ornamental fence up,' Sanchez said. 'It's a tourist destination. We're a few feet away from a rail yard, and not many people can boast that. It's a cool amenity for Cheyenne, and I think it'll boost our tourism dollars.'
The depot is designated a National Historic Landmark due to its status as a former Union Pacific train station. Its construction began in 1886, and after it was built, the Depot served as the main passenger station for Cheyenne.
The depot's role in the history of the transcontinental railroad, transportation in the West and the influence of the Union Pacific Railroad make it a prime tourist destination.
In the 1990s, after passenger service ended at the depot, the Union Pacific donated the building to the city of Cheyenne. After a decade or so of renovations, the Cheyenne Depot became a focal point in downtown Cheyenne and was declared a National Historic Landmark.
'We have people that come to Cheyenne, and they know about rail heritage,' Collins said. '... I think people want to come out here on this patio to watch the trains. And it wasn't a very hospitable place. Now, you look around, and it's gorgeous.'
