Public input is being sought to determine the scope and direction of the project.
About 480 acres of land bounded by Fort Sidney Road, U.S. Highway 30, State Highway 17J-Link and a yet-be-completed extension of Toledo Street will be developed to feature hundreds of new-construction homes, as well as the possibility of parks, trails and commercial property – specifics of which will be determined by community feedback. Additionally, Sidney Regional Medical Center has announced plans to build a new facility in the area.
The project is designed to be a community-wide effort driven by the residents of Sidney, addressing the needs of the City to support future growth.
"This is a game-changer for Sidney. We are extremely excited about what this means for our community's immediate and long-term future. It brings us together to meet the challenges of getting additional housing and business services established,” said Gary Person, City of Sidney Manager and Economic Development Director. “Buckle up because this is going to be one of the most exciting eras of sustainable growth and multiple new opportunities in Sidney's history.”
Winston Associates, an independent Colorado-based community planning firm, will host open houses Dec. 5 and 6 at the Cheyenne County Community Center for community members to view potential development plans and designs, ask questions and provide insight. Concurrent with the open houses, the planning firm will conduct a market study to test the feasibility of the development plans and satisfy the specific desires of the community.
Cabela’s retained the services of Winston Associates, which has completed planning projects across Colorado, including the Denver area and Steamboat Springs.
“This plan exhibits Cabela’s commitment to the City of Sidney, which is where we want to stay and grow,” said Tommy Millner, Cabela’s Chief Executive Officer. “We’re ready to collaborate with community members on a team effort and are dedicated to helping develop the best possible long-term vision for the area.”
A primary goal is to create additional housing to meet the current demand of Sidney residents, as well as help local businesses attract and retain employees. Hundreds of new houses will eventually be built on lots of varying sizes. A finalized plan is expected in the spring of 2013 after the public has determined what it would most like to see included in the project.
The expansion project to the east will complement the downtown area and reflect the pattern of the city.
“We are excited about the opportunity to grow with the community,” said Jason Petik, Sidney Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer. “When we selected our site for our new medical facility, we believed this area was the natural direction for the city to expand. SRMC will be happy to join with the community in participating in the planning process for this expansion.”