Cheyenne Considers $1 Million Expansion for Reed Avenue Corridor Project

The cost of reimagining Cheyenne’s West Edge is climbing toward a new milestone. The Cheyenne Finance Committee is meeting at noon today to consider a proposal that would increase the contract amount for the Reed Avenue Rail Corridor Design Project by more than $1 million, according to a report from capcity.news.

If approved, this expansion would push the total project cost to $2,487,566. While the Finance Committee does not have the authority to pass final ordinances, its support is a necessary hurdle for the plan to move to the Cheyenne City Council for a vote next week. This budget increase isn’t just about design; it’s about broadening the scope of what this historic corridor will eventually become for the city.

Expanding the footprint of the West Edge

The core mission of the Reed Avenue Corridor Project is to transform the existing right-of-way into a public space that offers safe pedestrian and bicycle access while serving as a hub for community events. The project area, which stretches from 15th Street to 23rd Street, aims to celebrate the area’s deep ties to rail history. This vision has already seen small steps toward realization, such as the placement of historic rail cars along 15th Street earlier this summer.

The proposed $1,166,647 expansion would fundamentally change the project’s physical reach and complexity. Rather than focusing solely on the central corridor, the new plan includes street improvements to Snyder and Bent Avenues as they follow Reed. It also calls for the design of a new parking lot and improved pedestrian connectivity between 20th and 21st streets. Furthermore, the additional funding would facilitate deeper coordination between the city and BNSF Railway, which is essential since the project follows an active railroad track that must remain separated from public spaces.

This expansion comes with a timeline adjustment. The projected completion date for the project would shift to April 30, 2028.

Funding sources and the financial breakdown

The city is looking at a blended funding model to cover these new costs, pulling from local taxes and federal assistance. The financial structure for the additional $1.16 million is broken down as follows:

Funding Source	Amount
Fifth Penny Tax	$466,620
Sixth Penny Tax	$422,527
FRA Grant Funds	$277,500

The use of the Sixth Penny sales tax is a continuation of a trend started by Cheyenne voters, who approved the tax in 2021 to fund various city improvements. Additionally, the project has benefited from federal support; as noted by cheyennecity.org, the city secured a $2.56 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration in January 2025 to assist with the first phase of improvements.

Balancing historical preservation with modern transit

The project is a direct response to the changing industrial landscape of the West Edge. In the early 1900s, the city granted a railroad easement on Reed Avenue to boost business access on the west side. However, as industrial needs shifted, the corridor’s utility waned. By 2017, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle was the only local business still receiving deliveries by rail. This shift provided the impetus for the 2018 Reed Avenue Corridor Plan, which sought to repurpose the space for community and economic development.

Reed concept design — Photo: cheyennecity.org

However, the transformation of a working railroad corridor into a public space is not without friction. A significant point of contention involves how the project will handle existing infrastructure. According to cheyennecity.org, previous public meetings held in late 2023 addressed potential railroad crossing closures at 18th and 21st streets. While current design concepts suggest closures at 17th and 18th streets and Dillon Avenue, the management of these intersections remains a critical component of the design phase.

Historic railcars arrive as the first step in Cheyenne's 15th Street project

Beyond the rail corridor, the Finance Committee’s agenda includes other significant municipal expenditures. Members will discuss a $142,800 purchase of new tactical armor for the Cheyenne Police Department SWAT team. They are also slated to review a potential funding increase and contract extension for the city’s agreement with the National Forest Foundation, which focuses on forest restoration feasibility studies within the Medicine Bow National Forest.

The Finance Committee meets today at noon at the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, located at 2101 O’Neil Ave. Residents can participate in the discussion via Zoom or telephone.