About the Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
The Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority (DDA) supports economic growth and revitalization within the Downtown District by helping prevent property deterioration and blight while encouraging long-term investment, preservation, and community vitality.
Purpose • Preservation • Partnership • Prosperity • Pride
Purpose
The DDA is rooted in its mission to stop and prevent property deterioration and blight, and to support redevelopment and long-term vitality, within Cheyenne’s Downtown District.
Preservation
The DDA prioritizes and supports the District’s historic elements by encouraging preservation, adaptive reuse, and infill through incentives, partnerships, and collaborative initiatives.
Partnership
The DDA creates strong partnerships with government, community, and private partners who share their vision for Downtown Cheyenne.
Prosperity
In keeping with their mission and vision, the DDA looks for opportunities to support initiatives that foster long-term value for the Downtown District.
Pride
Through catalyzing economic growth and investment in the Downtown District, the DDA fosters a greater sense of belonging, ownership, and community pride for all stakeholders in Downtown Cheyenne.
History of the Cheyenne DDA
In 1980, at a time when the Downtown Cheyenne vacancy rate approached 40%, a group of Cheyenne residents interested in revitalizing downtown formed the Cheyenne Downtown Association. The Association helped focus public policy on downtown’s physical deterioration and redevelopment opportunities.
Following successful state-level lobbying efforts for enabling legislation, Cheyenne became the first Wyoming community to hold an election to form a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) District.
In the 1984 election, which had the largest voter turnout of any special citywide election up to that time, voters expressed support for a healthy downtown by passing the ballot issue by a margin of more than two to one.
The DDA later applied for and was selected as one of the urban demonstration cities in the National Main Street Project. The DDA administered the program, which was funded by $50,000 from the City and $50,000 in matching contributions from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for each of the program’s three years.
During the Main Street Program, the downtown vacancy rate declined, downtown’s potential became more positively viewed, and the need for downtown to establish its own path to economic vitality became clear.
Timeline
1980
Downtown vacancy rates reach approximately 40%, prompting local stakeholders to form a Downtown Development Association focused on revitalization.
1984
State legislation establishes the legal framework for Downtown Development Authorities (DDA). The Cheyenne DDA is formally created by the governing body and voters and is selected as a National Main Street urban demonstration city.
1988
Voters approve the first mill levy at 7.5 mills (March 8).
1989
Vacancy rates decline significantly to approximately 5%. The 1989 Plan for Development, including design guidelines, is adopted.
1990
Organizational restructuring occurs, and a new board is appointed to guide the DDA forward.
1991
The Downtown Cheyenne Core Area Master Plan is completed.
1993
Downtown District boundaries are refined and formally adopted by City Council.
1994
The DDA begins collecting Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues. Voters approve a second mill levy increase to 10 mills.
1997 - 2009
Voters reaffirm support for Downtown revitalization through additional mill levy elections (1997, 2001, 2005, and 2009).
2000
New leadership appointed.
2004
The DDA office moves to the Cheyenne Depot.
2010
New leadership appointed.
2011
The Downtown Development Foundation is established as a 501(c)(3) to support DDA initiatives.
2012
The DDA relocates to 1601 Capitol Avenue and applies for Main Street program accreditation.
2015 - 2018
Leadership transitions occur, with a new Executive Director (2015–2017), followed by interim leadership, and then a new Executive Director assuming the role in 2018.
2016
DDA loses $500,000 in TIF sales tax funding when Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power moves out of the Downtown District.
2019
Commercial property owners approve continuation of the 10-mill levy. The DDA relocates to 107 W. 17th Street. New Executive Director appointed.
2020 – 2021
Executive Director resigns in 2020. In 2021, the DDA enters a partnership with Visit Cheyenne after City funding was eliminated. DDA partners with the Tourism Promotion Joint Powers Board at this time, with a new Executive Director and under the Visit Cheyenne CEO.
2022
The DDA continues participation in the Main Street program while evaluating its long-term role and benefits.
2023
The DDA enters into a Work Program MOU with the City, managed by the Planning & Development Department with the recommendation of Mayor Collins. New Administrator is appointed. Planning begins for a new Downtown Plan of Development. Voters approve an increase to a 20-mill levy.
2024
A new Downtown Plan of Development has been completed and adopted by the DDA Board and Council. Leadership transitions occur, with new Administrator in April 2024, resigning in November 2024.
2025
Plan of Development is adopted by the Cheyenne City Council in February 2025. New Administrator hired in March, transitioning to Executive Director in June.
2026
DDA Board begins creation of a new 5-Year Strategic Plan in March, establishing Board direction and priorities for 2026-2031.
2027
Next mill levy election scheduled.
