Main Street, Wyoming; 514; Wyoming's Main Streets

Main Street Wyoming is made possible in part by grants from Kennicott energy proud to be a part of Wyoming's future in the uranium exploration mining and production industry. And by the Wyoming Council for the Humanities enriching lives of Wyoming people through the study of Wyoming history values and ideas. Everybody's getting excited about doing something and I think the morale of the whole town. Has come alive. The heart of our Wyoming communities is their main streets. It's where we coffee have lunch

shop and it's where our kids cruise at night. But as our communities grow discount houses move in malls move in. What does this mean about the heart of our communities. I'm Deborah Hammond and this is Main Street Wyoming. Today we go across the state and look at some of the main streets. And see exactly what's happening. Eighteen and Wyoming's communities are involved in Main Street projects. Renewal efforts were completed in the summer of 1994. Well we had a lot of people who were worrying about the way we were looking. We were worried about our valuation of our buildings dropping extremely and we wanted to see if there was any way we could pull the town back together and get the empty buildings filled up at one time we had 22 empty buildings in this downtown area. And we have now filled them back up to. Seoul. With.

Less than 7 percent. Of the area is empty and that's about normal for any any downtown. So we feel we're back to normal now and we still have some projects that are being carried on to finish up I think will soon be filled and maybe we'll be building some new buildings down. It really started with the downtown business building owners getting together and we were told by the City Council if we wanted to do anything we had to have a majority of the downtown businessmen. That. Saying we wanted to do this and mainly was the sidewalks were terrible and the lighting was in terrible shape and we would just come down here at night and it was. It was awful. I mean it was just. So that we could even have nicer emotions without worrying about it. Christmas. Christmas time the nights were just awful. Some of this started 10 years ago we've had. Two different times that we've had drawings done by architects which failed. I won't go into that. This time we had quite a long preparation period of getting our goals together having meetings. We even had three hearings on the

architectural drawings before we finally decided to have the final drawing made. The city council came through with $3000 to begin with for an architectural drawing of the downtown area. Well it turned out to be forty thousand dollars by the time we got through with it. The architect was very key in getting getting everybody stimulated to do something. The architect presented in a citywide meeting all the drawings and what she had done and we had requested her to do it a certain way. We had requested cross walks we've requested full bulbs on the corners. We requested a lot of things and she drew them and we had a dialogue going in in the favor of people against the project as well as people for our oil valuations going down. So we're going to have to try to get our downtown area up and get sales tax revenue. Our sales tax revenue in the city is I don't know it's. At least 40 percent of the city budget is from sales tax revenues. I know there are some people say well the downtown

business men are just the ones getting rich. No we're not getting rich. In fact our sales haven't increased very much but our sales have leveled off. They are not going down like they were and we feel that that's been a great success in that. If that one thing will keep the sales tax revenue for the city citizens of power like Paul Hanson Cow Lane one full of Cody is going to Main Street businessmen for years. Well I've been in business right here in this this location for 35 years. February 1st 1959 when I went in business here. In fact most of the businesses that were here 35 years ago. Have Changed. Hands in in some form or another. Some of the places were moved to different locations. Others have just gone out of business and different business of Waynes have been lots of changes. Well actually 84 and 85 they completely re.

Furbished the main street and the sidewalks and. And put in a really nice. Main Street sidewalks and in really. Made very. Well really a pretty place. We wanted beautiful Cody and Main Street had been in there so I don't I don't remember the dates but. Since the the the early 1900s and of course it was cracked in and you go down through the main street and you just thumped along you know. So it needed to be done. The sacrifice on the part of the business is I'm sure. I mean it was tore up nobody could go down Main Street they had to use the back doors and so we would in our advertising we would. Tell them to come in the back way in the back doors and they'd park on the side streets and come through the back way and it really

worked out quite well. So everyone who participated. You mean you're glad that you made that choice for yes definitely. Yeah you know it's for the betterment of Cody and and we have people who come now that really think Cody is a nice place. It's a clean place and it's a nice town to come to. I think the future is bright for Cody. There are more and more people. Coming. Moving to Cody. The building industry has been booming now for. At least three four five years I guess. And more businesses are coming. So I think we can only say that it is it has a bright future. Another of Wyoming's communities projecting a bright future for the main street is shared in the overall with a very strong history of people having to adapt to the discount stores. For Kmart. I think people are coping with that.

And I know our business is the need to grow with these businesses coming. How did you cope when you have to realize what they're going to be doing what they're going to carry. A gesture in the tour how you're doing business we're very service very people oriented business. You consider. Which helps. We have a very strong local base very loyal customers. This town is becoming more of a tourist. Town trap. One of. Those big group that's we're relying a lot on that anymore. You're seeing a big influx from about oh maybe through the honey season which is October November. So we're relying a lot more on that than say We used to in the past. I've been here all my life 76 years here being been here for 15. Years to have a coffee bar. Well my dad back in the 40s Forder up until 1945. He had a poor on the gambling joint here in

coffee and a coffee counter you know that even though gambling was illegal the county attorney let us you know let the saloons the bars and let's have our gallery in the back and here we had a petition. You're not 21 I'm in dice and throw me in the restroom. Then the county attorney in one thousand one hundred forty five forty six our newly elected county attorney goes gambling. So then my brother and I decided to have a governor supporting a story between wrecking balls and dealing cards. I'd sit up there and fly in on a spirit guide for a quarter apiece you know 15 cents to a quarter. Then when that when like I say when we decided to. Have a. Sporting Goods store then. That's what happened and we had a couple counting the only loosely in here too so we just left it in but if you notice you know when you walk in with all the people in here all my life I had to walk in a store and 16 clerks stare at me you know and here it's comfortable here everybody Shilo need to drink their coffee and you know I know it's real comfortable that you know that's what I enjoy.

Reason We like it's place for people to gather. You can find out any given morning what's going on and shared. It's also just. Part of the whole. Family. So they will stay as long as I'm here. How important do you think having a main street and having business on it are community like here. I think is very important. I think that's where. You get a lot of sponsorship for high school programs a little guy football programs baseball programs. For each program with you. We know why we get hit every day three or four times a day to help sponsor something to build community involvement I think that's very important for any community to have a strong Main Street. I think that's where it begins and where Anne's in town our size. If Wyoming really is one town with very long streets then the state's busiest intersection must be Casper's downtown. Although the city's size brings unique

problems to Caspar's Main Street. It's solutions are available to the whole state. Initially it's about 10 years ago with a Main Street USA program. Some downtown merchants property owners got together and decided we needed to do something to enhance Casper's downtown area. They started with the main street USA program that went its separate way. The same people formed what's called a DC-DC downtown Casper Development Corporation. Five a one C3 status so that you could obtain some fun and some grants. That went it separate way when the state adopted or put into legislation. The formation of downtown development authorities in 1988 1989. When our organization was formed in 1989 under those state statutes. I do think that we have broad support here in downtown Castor and I think partially that's because we've had a record of accomplishment on things that we have done down here. But also people have in this city and in this downtown they want to see it succeed

and they're willing to find those types of changes. We found. From our Casper area Economic Development Alliance. There are people that go out and try to recruit new businesses for the Casper area when they bring these people in here they want to take a look at downtown. They feel that it's a vital part of the community. That a lot of things spring forth from a vital downtown and we believe that that's our mission statement is to revitalize the downtown area. One of the things they say is it is their impression a lasting impression. By looking at downtown before they make a decision to relocate here. You are always trying to do something even when your city starts to have wonderfully well you should still keep up those types of efforts looking for new avenues to change or whatever because it's something that you always have to be vigilant. You can't just assume that the efforts that you put in today are still going to reap the same rewards. A couple of years from now. I think there are four active downtown development authorities in the state now operating under the state's statute

but it revitalizes an opportunity to gain. New avenues for funds to help. Do the improvements because God knows in this in this state there's not a lot of merchants that have a lot of extra cash to spend to improve the way things look and appear. And it's just something that should be done it's it's been beneficial for Casper. And we're proud of what we've done and I think Casper is too. Actually I'm a third generation in the business where my grandfather started the store 75 years ago on follow my father's footsteps now. And I've been here just two years in July so it's pretty exciting for me. Business owners in Casper have a wider choice of locations than many of our other Ramey communities. One of those choices is moving to him now actually just wants one when the mall came into being. Back in 1982 I believe. And quite honestly we didn't really give a whole lot of thought.

We just felt like we would be more independent on our own and own in our own freestanding operation and we didn't really look forward too much to having to hire all of the extra crew that you'd have to put on for the different shifts at the mall. I did have a choice. First of all I thought it was beautiful. And I think the architecture is very interesting far more interesting than Amahl could ever be. I enjoyed the differences in stores and I wanted to promote a different type of environment in my own store and that's those are my main reasons. Plus I like seeing people. And different places all the time. When I came back in here about 75. The they just to the finish of the city had just finished doing the street renovations that they've done in here with all the planning and the Serpentine street that was a bone of contention for a while and I think that's pretty much blown over. People seem to really enjoy it. Part of the the situation we're involved it with at the

time though was a lot of the buildings here were getting pretty pretty ratty looking. Just minor things but they just took away from the overall look of the place and it was a one of those first impressions sort of things that you come down and you see outside new things. And now we don't have that. I think the people of downtown Casper and Casper period decided they're not willing to let this die. I have talked to several people and talking to Barbara with the Downtown Development Group. People are very interested in seeing Casper succeed and part of that is the look of downtown and the feeling of downtown it is. And I think there's a lot of excitement down here. And it begins it seems to be building all the time with new businesses coming in and. Everything everybody that comes to town anymore is very upbeat. Our customers that come in are we don't get this old down in the mouth business you know where people think come in and tell us how bad things are or how

rundown things are getting are out bad a deal they're getting here there or wherever else. Everybody come in and out of a pretty general. Do that again. And I think UPS that's a whole lot right there. From their experience in downtown Casper Scott and Sidney had some advice for other Wyoming businesses. Get together get together in a big way and work hard in a positive direction there. The DDA the Downtown Development Program that we have here which is basically the remnants of the main street program. That's just worth every nickel and dime an hour. Day and week spent in that program. Don't be afraid to talk to each other don't be afraid to to go into someone else's story. True it's competition but it's very good competition and and you may be an individual business but you are a part of a downtown. Main Streets in Wyoming aren't the only businesses lining the street. Main Street is where

people meet whether it's over a cup of coffee a done it or the daily luncheon special. And if you want to know what lambing people are thinking just ask. Here. We do. Not. Think weight. Loss. This. Is NPR News. Husband was. Look. Here is we're. Here we're. Texas and. Houston and. The years he sits with them while. They want to come back. To. The specific. Job seekers are. Just. A. Few minutes. The

service which. Is. Really. Working. With Josh.. Do you think. It will become like Jack and now those. Racers. Saudis who are. Spread out. It was me so much and never mean. To my customers. Jackson. Counties in the state they're having real problems with. Financing for their schools. How's the situation in schools. Because.

It's. Safe. To the west. That's why we're here. It's. Our kids. It's like a. Very. Safe community.

You're. Telling us how to remember a. Thing about how we protect. And that's really. Why were thousand people. By 1000 people in New York City think they can fill. In the gaps. They were just. Going to get out and. Run things like. This or. These long time friends have a decisive way of determining who pays for their meal. For me. That's. The level.

That's it. Mingle if you think you'd like. To be another. In Sheridan we paid a visit to the Ritz coffee counter to hear what folks in this part of the state were talking about. This or gripe session time right. She we used to go to them in March. We. Do dishes in the afternoon after work. But we got older and smarter from how we come here in the morning just to get your heart started so we can end it with all your friends just what it's all about. Morning. I think it's. Just the price of real estate. That it was it was skyrocketing all through this last spring early summer. So leveled down. But it it definitely escalated ordering more you couldn't find a house on the market almost there was just a very few houses to be that the. People building there were thank you elation day and fourth time we changed back elation when the housing industry around here probably champagne about $70 late 70s early 80s.

How long you been here. We're going to do those we've probably been here a century. Oh yeah close to see if you're. Born and raised here is no place like your place I'm concerned right. Now. Frank. They're easier and they're recruiting retirees to move you sure talk to you gets corner right the moment you're coming on and ask you questions and both of them is important. I came up here because of the tax base is better people are nicer. There's no fast lane up here for say everything had to be done yesterday out there today. Well when we get around to it which is it. So there's no big pressure because. I like the area. Have you seen a change in the kinds of people anybody knew what they was having. Absolutely the big money is moving in.

And there you're leaving the big city so. I don't mind people coming here. They buy a place or whatever that's why we want to come in here and do the super developments like they're trying to do and create another Jackson Hole is absolutely insane. And that is what I'm against. So I'm not a I guess I'm not a progressive. But but I don't want to see the character of this community change because some guy wants to make a few bucks and the whole program is greed and that's what it all comes down to who's got to Facebook and I don't want to see that happen to this community. Well like I say they believe we're going to have to analyze this thing and move as fast as the people are moving in here for them to stay abreast of these taxes and all your city developments. I mean I don't mind. Growth but I don't want to see a boom town mentality take this town over it which is what you're trying to do I think it's wrong.

For these people sit around and let it happen to him like I can't believe this but that's because they weren't out to experience other areas to see what happens when you let these guys go in and if you open a door for one guy then you've got to open it for everybody. Man I tell it's looking pretty good for screw stories a lot of building to go. He. Goes on the same for me where. They talk about our wonderful education system. What for. What have why are we educating our children for some other state. That's what we're doing. Well you stayed a while and I think now find it throughout the state. Only. First of all a population off the job market small enough that you're not going to have a job just to see you again. Our children keeping them in the day. It is just a matter of. Logistics I think more

than anything else. And. That's why I don't. Know if. The kid is lucky enough to. Be born into a ranch or reborn into a situation where he has a built in job when he does come home. Then he'll be there but. There's not enough jobs in the kitty to communities to bring our children back. At dusk on our main streets. The stores and workers and the neon signs begin to like more of our city's residents and writing their news. It started I. Started out early this summer we started trying to calls and.

Gather. Just so I would place it like three nights a week. Try to get everybody down there place. Anywhere from two hours to four hours just ending on the why can't the weather. Stay. Like three nights. Hopefully if everything works out and try to get a league together organized league here in town and then maybe go up to Billings there's a lot of people a lot of interest up there was bigger cities that. Got a lot bigger pool. And just get up there play some of the better teams up there. And others nice hockey team in power right now. Some of us were talking about going after a night. Like. This or. Should be a really. Good big experience for us. Wyoming's main streets change with the seasons and every season reminds us of the changes we've seen over the years in our communities. Like. It was in the stable.

So I mean it's everybody is getting excited about doing something and I think the morale of the whole town. Has been right. Why only Main Street bailout about the vitality of our community. They tell us about our towns and their belief in themselves and their future. And right now. The future. And our main street. Looks great. I'm Deborah Hammond on Main Street Wyoming. Thanks for joining. Main Street Wyoming is made possible in part by grants from Kennicott energy. Proud to be a part of Wyoming's future in the uranium exploration mining and production industry. And by the Wyoming Council for the Humanities

enriching lives of Wyoming people through the study of Wyoming history values and ideas.