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Reed Avenue Rail Crossing Elimination

At a glance

  • What: The Reed Avenue Rail Crossing Elimination Project and its related actions: a funding appropriation ordinance for the Reed Avenue Corridor Project (ordinance 4669), the purchase of four parcels along West 16th Street and Reed Avenue for greenway and compliance use, and a contract with BNSF Railway (BNSF Railway and Grant Applicant 22905 Agreement).
  • Where it stands: All three actions passed by 2026-05-11. The appropriation was adopted on third reading 2026-04-27; the property purchase was approved the same night at up to 650,000 dollars; the BNSF contract was approved 2026-05-11.
  • Contention: Moody voted no on the appropriation and on the BNSF contract. Charles Miller spoke on each and points of order were raised that his comments were off subject.

Details

  • Appropriation ordinance, third reading, 2026-04-27 (ordinance 4669): reporting for the Finance Committee, Esquibel moved approval, seconded by White. Carried with all members voting yes except Moody (no). A Clerk's note records that technical issues meant no vote was recorded for Rinne. Jim Walter of Visit Cheyenne spoke; Aldrich, Laybourn and Rinne commented. The minutes do not state the amount appropriated.
  • Purchase and sale agreement, 2026-04-27 (resolution 8340): the City agreed to buy four parcels on West 16th Street and Reed Avenue from NAS Investment Group, LLC for greenway and compliance use, funded from the 2021 Specific Purpose Option Tax Fund and the General Fund. Esquibel moved approval in an amount not to exceed 650,000 dollars, seconded by White; carried 9-0. Miller, Alan Sheldon and Jim Chiro spoke; Mayor Collins, Laybourn and Moody commented. Multiple points of order were raised during Miller's comments and Mayor Collins responded that they were not germane to the subject.
  • BNSF Railway contract, introduced on the consent agenda 2026-04-27 and referred to the Finance Committee (funded from the 2017 Specific Purpose Option Tax Fund). On 2026-05-11 Esquibel moved approval, seconded by White; carried with Moody voting no and Segrave absent (7-1). During Miller's comments Moody and White raised points of order that his comments were off subject. Mayor Collins, Emmons, Laybourn, Rinne and White commented.
  • The minutes record who spoke but not the positions taken.

Sources

Log

2026-11-03 - Finance Committee

Contract Modification No. 2 to Contract 7782 with DHM Design Corp for Reed Avenue Rail Corridor Design (1% SPOT and 2017 SPOT funds) on the agenda.

2026-05-11 - City Council

BNSF Railway contract for the Reed Avenue Rail Crossing Elimination Project approved, Moody no.

2026-04-27 - City Council

Reed Avenue Corridor appropriation adopted on third reading (Moody no); property purchase approved at up to 650,000 dollars, 9-0; BNSF contract referred to the Finance Committee.

2026-11-03 - Finance Committee (update)

DHM Design Contract Modification No. 2 approved 2-1 (Moody no), not to exceed $1,166,647.

2026-11-03 - Finance Committee

  • Staff detailed the $1,166,647 modification (side-street design, railroad coordination, environmental work); railroad agreement commits the city to four street closures. Passed 2-1.