Wyoming Business: Historic Cheyenne hotel renovations under way

CHEYENNE — One more piece of downtown Cheyenne’s renaissance is falling into place as three Wyoming investors prepare to renovate the historic Plains Hotel into a “boutique” hotel.

The Plains Hotel Co. LLC purchased the hotel from LJK Cos. of Minnesota for an undisclosed purchase price, then leased it back to LJK for continued operation as a contract hotel.

Architectural and interior-design activities began last fall, and the three partners plan to start “extensive remodeling” in January and have it completed by July.

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The Plains is located on Lincolnway, across the street from the proposed Depot Plaza, part of the planned renovation of the historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot and a cornerstone of downtown redevelopment activities.

“The Plains Hotel was once referred to as ‘The Grand Jewel of the Plains,’ said Alvin Wiederspahn, a partner in the Plains Hotel Co. and developer of the project. “Our vision is to restore the Plains to its historic grandeur.”

Wiederspahn, a Cheyenne attorney, former legislator and former president of the Downtown Development Authority, also is redeveloping another historic part of downtown, the Hynds Building. His partners in the Plains Hotel project include Bob Jensen, a former oil company executive who helped advance the depot project, and Joe McMurry, a Casper oilman.

Property Exchange reclaims two Cheyenne buildings

CHEYENNE — You won’t find a cinnamon roll if you stop in at the old Owl Inn these days, but you will be able to buy a house or lease office space.

The one-time favorite Cheyenne restaurant, which closed last year, is now home to The Property Exchange, one of the state’s largest commercial Realtors.

The Property Exchange, part of the Wyoming Financial Group based in Casper, moved just a week before the grand opening of Cheyenne’s newest office building, the 80,000-square-foot Cheyenne Business Center. The company transformed a vacant Montgomery Ward department store to offices for private firms and employees of the state departments of employment and family services.

“We’ve taken two buildings that have quite a history in Cheyenne and renovated them and put them back into productive use, and I think that’s a real plus.´ said Brad Graham, an associate broker with The Property Exchange.

In addition to the Cheyenne Business Center and the Wyoming Financial Center, The Property Exchange also owns the Aspen Ridge Building and a nearly 26-acre plot at the east gateway to Cheyenne LEADS’ Cheyenne Business Park.

Editor urges Cheyenne to build on strengths

CHEYENNE — Cheyenne’s quality of life, education and business climate were three reasons Wyoming’s capital city made Expansion Management Magazine’s list of top 50 metropolitan areas in the country for businesses to expand or relocate to.

Cheyenne was smallest of some 330 metropolitan statistical areas to make the magazine’s top 50, but it had a five-star ranking for its quality of life, which included affordable housing, low crime and taxes and good schools, editor Lance Yoder told Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce members recently.

“Cheyenne’s future is tied to understanding your strengths,” Yoder said. “Companies seek great places to live and work, and cities with a plan for the future are ahead of those that do not. It really does make a difference.

“You’re well on your way to creating the type of future you want,” Yoder concluded after touring Cheyenne with community leaders.

Expansion Management Magazine is an economic-development trade publication and developed its third annual rankings by surveying site-selection consultants, “people who really have the pulse of what’s going on around the country,” Yoder said.

State prepared to fight terrorism

CHEYENNE — Gov. Jim Geringer is reassuring Wyoming residents that their state is prepared to battle bioterrorism and is moving to fill other gaps identified by the state’s new Counter Terrorism Commission.

The governor, who earlier activated Wyoming National Guard troops to protect airports, said the Wyoming Department of Health has “profoundly strengthened the state’s ability to prevent, detect and quickly respond to any bioterrorist attack.”

The Health Department launched its Bioterrorism Program in September 1999, and since then state health officials have worked with health professionals and local law-enforcement officials throughout the state to improve detection and early response capacity.

Meanwhile, the governor said recommendations by the Counter Terrorism Commission appointed Oct. 3 are being implemented, including greater cooperation and planning.

“Although Wyoming has been insulated from both international and domestic terrorism, Wyoming is not isolated, and the state needs to build upon existing plans and preparations,” the governor said. “Ideally, our best preparation is prevention.”