WHEATLAND — The Wheatland Town Council voted to accept a state grant to pay for a historic inventory of downtown, which is necessary to set up a historic district, during its regular meeting Feb. 12.
Linda Fabian, member of the Wheatland Historic Preservation Commission, said the $7,000 grant from the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office will make it possible to hire a historical consultant to do the inventory.
Fabian said a downtown historic district will benefit Platte County Economic Development and Platte County Main Street in that each of their sponsoring state government organizations require business district boundaries.
“So it’s a good tool all the way around for everything,” Fabian said.
Fabian said the area to be examined is framed east to west by 7th Street and 10th Street, and Pine Street and High Street north to south. She listed several points of interest within that area, including:
The very last Carnegie-funded library in the state of Wyoming.
The Platte County Courthouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The site of Wheatland’s original hospital.
Many historic examples of commercial buildings.
The oldest existing building in Wheatland, at 962 Gilchrist, which was built by the Wyoming Development Company.
The $7,000 grant requires a local match with in-kind services and $2,000 cash match. Fabian said they have $500 from Platte County Economic Development, as well as pledges from various individuals and businesses adding up to $1,500. She said the Historic Preservation Commission will help the historian do research as in-kind services.
“We’ll do whatever we can to help lower his costs,” Fabian said.
She said the Historic Preservation Commission is not asking the Town Council for anything but to accept the grant.
“I think an inventory like that would be a great economic tool for the town,” Fabian said.
She noted a historic district is a good tourism draw, and potential business owners also like to live and work in historic buildings.
In other business, the Wheatland Town Council:
Approved the consent agenda, including the Jan. 8 meeting minutes, January vouchers and department reports.
Approved Ordinance 814, regarding fees at the columbarium, on third reading.
Approved Ordinance 815, regarding catering and malt beverage permits, on third reading.
Held a public hearing for liquor licenses. No member of the public offered discussion, and the council approved restaurant liquor license renewals for Pizza Hut, Los Dominguez and Tasty Treats; club licenses for the Moose Lodge and Wheatland Country Club; retail liquor licenses for Landmark Bar, Commodore Bar, I-25 Pit Stop, Safeway, Vimbo’s Dusty Boots, Big A, Smitty’s Lanes and Guadalajara; and a bar and grill renewal for Windy Peaks Brewery Pub and Chophouse.
Approved a malt beverage permit for Pete Delgado for a Valentine’s Day dance.
Designated First State Bank, Bank of the West and Platte Valley Bank as the town’s bank depositories.
Designated the Platte County Record-Times as the town’s newspaper, where it publishes legal notices.
Heard from Wheatland Municipal Judge Vicki Mickelsen, who advised the council to look through the town’s old ordinances and correct discrepancies. The council took no action on the item.
Approved a simple subdivision preliminary plan for the Bowen family, who want to sell a home but keep 21 acres of farmland that is attached. The address is 118 Hightower, which is within 1 mile of town limits so it required approval by both town and county boards.
Approved a resolution to allow the town to pursue a $642,000 grant for re-lining the wastewater pond.
The Wheatland Town Council’s next regular meeting is 7 p.m. March 12 at the Town Hall Chambers.
