North Cheyenne residents oppose second Wyoming Downs site

Owners of Wyoming Downs, a statewide off-track betting facility, are asking the Cheyenne City Council to amend city code to allow indoor entertainment in the former Jackson’s All American Sports Grill at 1121 Old Town Lane. The site just west of Powderhouse Road would include both a sports bar and off-track betting facility.

But after Cheyenne Police Chief Brian Kozak reported increased police presence at the current Cheyenne Plaza location, some have expressed concern the new space will attract more criminal activity to their neighborhood.

Police responded to more than 100 calls from Wyoming Downs in 2018. Offenses included outstanding warrants, narcotics and fighting.

Candis Pickard, safety and security manager for Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, said employees with Davis Hospice Center, near the Jackson’s building, have already seen an increase in “hostile” activity due to a nearby disability services facility. Pickard said patients have had threats made against them at the center, and two had medication stolen from their rooms.

“We’re concerned Wyoming Downs would result in increased security issues and put patients at risk,” she said.

As a condition of site plan approval, Wyoming Downs staff would have to implement safety precautions recommended by police. This includes requiring identification for entry and stopping anyone with an outstanding warrant at the door, training employees to identify drug users and supplying containers to safely dispose of drug paraphernalia.

“What other business in town has sharps containers other than the hospital?” resident Brian Young said.

Others said gambling has no place near churches, schools and day-care centers.

“We have a really nice neighborhood, and I don’t feel this is warranted in this area,” resident Patricia Johnson said.

But Councilman Rocky Case offered another perspective. He found that, within a 1-mile radius of the proposed location, there were seven churches, 12 day-care centers and three schools. The existing Cheyenne Plaza property has 18 churches, 19 day cares and eight schools within a 1-mile radius, he said.

“So do one set of criteria apply to the north side of town and another set of criteria apply to the east side and south side?” he asked. “I hope that’s not the kind of community we are. I have concerns with how this has all unfolded.

“I don’t know whether I’ll be a yes or no next week on this zone change, but I think we’re having the wrong conversation.”

Wyoming Downs owners say they’re more than willing to comply with police recommendations and address community concerns to make their operation friendlier to the community.

They emphasize the potential economic impact for the city, too.

“For about two and a half of the last three years, that property has been actively listed,” said Joe Svec with #1 Properties. “In that time, there have been two potential qualifying buyers, with Wyoming Downs being one of them. For some reason, that building has not garnered the activity we would have hoped.”

The ordinance will move to a final council vote Monday night.

In other action

The Public Services Committee voted 2-1 to recommend City Council approve a two-year pilot program giving the Downtown Development Authority more power to remove graffiti from private property.

The ordinance would allow the DDA to remove graffiti from any downtown property within 48 hours unless the building’s owner explicitly opts out of the program.

Councilman Pete Laybourn introduced a resolution directing City Engineer Amy Allen and City Treasurer Ron Downey to work with Wyoming Special Attorney General Mike O’Donnell in reporting on the status of the 26th Street storm interceptor project from O’Neil Avenue to Capitol Avenue.

This segment of the project would provide additional flood control to the Wyoming Capitol Complex.

The resolution, recommended 2-0 for council adoption Monday, requires officials to provide a funding report, and plans for design and bidding within two weeks of the resolution’s passage.

Laybourn said the city has put the $3 million plan on hold for larger endeavors, but Cheyenne Mayor Marian Orr said she’s looking into possible grant funding.