egion
Evanston, Wyoming Redevelops an
Historical Former Rail Yard into
Multipurpose Event Space
EPA Brownfields Assessment funding helped the City of Evanston, Wyoming redevelop its historic
Roundhouse Complex into a centerpiece for the city that has increased its tourism economy. This
project now serves as a model for restoring historic buildings on formerly contaminated lands.
Railroad Boom Comes to Evanston
Since 1868, Evanston has been a hub of railroad activity as a stop
on the transcontinental railroad. Located just 80 miles from Salt
Lake City, Utah, Evanston offered a convenient location to fill up
on coal and water as steam locomotives could only travel about
100 miles before refueling. In the early 1900s the Union Pacific
Railroad opened a repair and maintenance facility in Evanston,
providing approximately 125 jobs for residents. In 1971, due to the
increasing use of diesel locomotives, the Union Pacific Railroad
shut down its operations in Evanston and donated its 290-acre
property and buildings to the city. The Roundhouse Complex, a
22-acre portion of the donated property, included a Machine Shop,
Roundhouse, and other auxiliary buildings. For the next 27 years,
the city leased the Roundhouse Complex to various rail companies.
Though the city was interested in eventually redeveloping the
property for other uses, it recognized the importance of preserving
and restoring the historic Roundhouse Complex.
Environmental Assessment Lays Tracks for Redevelopment
Through the early 1990s, as the demand for rail maintenance
decreased, the city considered historic restoration options for the
Roundhouse Complex. Because the property had been used as
a maintenance and repair facility, the city was concerned about
environmental contamination. In addition, the site's buildings
were in dire need of repair. In 1994, the city funded a preliminary
environmental assessment and an architectural study to better
understand potential restoration and reuse opportunities. Additional
environmental assessments were necessary and in 1998, Evanston
received the funding it needed through a $200,000 EPA Brownfields
Assessment Grant. An additional $200,000 in supplemental and
greenspace funding was also provided by EPA. The assessments
were completed in the summer of 2001 and identified asbestos,
lead, benzene, and arsenic. Cleanup began on the Machine Shop
in October 2002, at an estimated cost of $140,000. Investigation
and cleanup activities were conducted under Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality's Voluntary
Remediation Program, with $200,000 provided by WYDEQ for cleanup and construction of the Machine Shop
parking lot. Groundwater on the property continues to be monitored to ensure the cleanup's integrity.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Developed partnerships with more
than 15 federal, state, and local
agencies/organizations
Redeveloped a portion of the 22 acre
Roundhouse Complex, leading the
way for full redevelopment
Leveraged more than 200 new jobs
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LEVERAGED RESOURCES
Redevelopment of the Machine Shop Spurs
Tourism through New Event Space
With assessments and cleanup finished, the Machine
Shop underwent a $2.5 million redevelopment and
restoration that included extensive efforts to maintain its
historical integrity. Since its opening in February 2004
as premier event space, the Machine Shop's 500 person
capacity and large kitchen has greatly enhanced the City
of Evanston's ability to host events and increase tourism.
The space has been used for events such as the annual
Urban Renewal Ball, the annual Roundhouse Festival,
special event dinners, junior proms, and the Cowboy Day
Spring Fling.
Additional Redevelopment Efforts are Underway
at the Roundhouse
With restoration of the former Machine Shop complete,
redevelopment efforts are now underway at the 65,000
square-foot roundhouse. To aid restoration efforts, the
property was split into four roughly equal sections; the
first section is scheduled to open in April of 2009 as a
state-of-the-art conference center to compliment the
Machine Shop. Though plans for the remaining parts
of the Roundhouse have not been finalized, many city
officials would like to see these last three sections used as
City Hall, bringing various city offices into
one building.
Partnerships are Key to Redevelopment Success
Assessment, cleanup and redevelopment would not have been possible without significant leveraged resources.
The city has developed more than 15 partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies representing areas such
as historical preservation, environmental cleanup and economic development. One such partnership was with
the Wyoming Business Council, which gave the city a $1.5 million grant that was used to replace thousands of
windows at the Roundhouse and restore the building's masonry.
Historical Restoration Spurs Tourism Reuse
Through redevelopment of the Roundhouse Complex, Evanston has increased its tourism economy by
converting an under-utilized property to a premier events center and future state-of-the-art conference center.
Since redevelopment began, over 200 jobs have been leveraged. Of primary importance, Evanston has
redeveloped and preserved a classic piece of Americana that future generations will learn from and enjoy.
$400,000 from an EPA Brownfields Assessment
Demonstration Pilot (includes Supplemental and
Greenspace funding)
$200,000 from the Wyoming Department of
Environmental Quality in Brownfields Cleanup
Assistance
$1.5 million from the Wyoming Business Council
More than $1 million from a Wyoming DOT
Transportation Enhancement Activities Local
(TEAL) Grant
More than $50,000 annually from Urban Renewal
Ball proceeds
$50,000 grant from the Union Pacific Railroad
$30,000 from Preserve America
Technical assistance from the National Trust for
Historic Preservation
Technical assistance from the Lincoln-Uinta County
Association of Governments (LUAG)
For additional information, please contact:
City of Evanston, Office of Economic Development: (307) 783-6309 • www.evanstonwy.org
EPA Region 8 Brownfields Program: (303) 312-7074 • www.epa.gov/region8/brownfields
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 8
Brownfields
EPA908-A-09-002
February 2009
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