City awarded grant to pursue Wyo State Hospital review

Funds to be combined with $50,000 from Wyoming Business Council to determine how to deal with old, vacant campus buildings

Kayne Pyatt, Herald Reporter
Posted 2/8/21

Members of the Evanston City Council listen as Evanston Community Development Director Rocco O’Neill talks about funds the city will receive to help determine what to do with several old, vacant buildings at the Wyoming State Hospital. (HERALD PHOTO/Kayne Pyatt)

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City awarded grant to pursue Wyo State Hospital review

Funds to be combined with $50,000 from Wyoming Business Council to determine how to deal with old, vacant campus buildings

Posted

EVANSTON — Appointments to two city boards and two commissions, along with approval of one resolution made for a quick Evanston City Council meeting on Groundhog Day, Tuesday, Feb. 2.

Tim Lynch was reappointed to the Urban Renewal Board for a five-year term. Reappointed to the Evanston Planning and Zoning Commission is Kimberly Begalla, who will serve a three-year term ending January 2024. Debbie Liechty (reappointed) and Joan Nixon (replacing Tom Farrens) were appointed to serve three-year terms on the Historic Preservation Commission.  Kent Williams and Dean Barker were both reappointed to the Human Service Joint Powers Board for three-year terms ending February 2024.

The city has received a financial assistance award from the U.S. Department of Commerce for an Economic Development Administration EDA grant. The funds will be used to develop a plan for how the historic Wyoming State Hospital structures can be best preserved, razed and/or renovated for other business or educational opportunities. 

Evanston Community Development Director Rocco O’Neill told the council that in order to receive the funds, the city council needs to approve Resolution 21-06, authorizing Mayor Kent Williams to sign on behalf of the city in order to execute the receipt of the award. The federal grant of $37,500 will be added to $50,000 the city was awarded from the Wyoming Business Council, for a total estimated cost of $87,500 for the redevelopment planning project. The resolution was unanimously approved.

During remarks from departments, Evanston Director of Public Works Gordon Robinson noted that Gov. Mark Gordon had designated the first week in February to honor professional water and wastewater employees. 

“We thank you and the public works employees for the great job you all do,” Mayor Williams said to Robinson, “and want you to know how much we appreciate it.”