On Thursday November 16^th, the city dedicated the West Wendover Downtown Development Infrastructure Phase 1 Project also known as the Downtown Project with a large crowd which included the general public, local, state, federal and corporate officials including USDA Rural Development, Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development, U.S. Economic Development Administration, Nevada Gold Mines as well as city consultants and staff.

When asked about the event, City Manager Chris Melville remarked, “This milestone project is a culmination of work by the city since it was first envisioned as part of the city’s Civic Center Master Plan completed in 2001.   Through the subsequent 22 years, the city proceeded with additional planning work including the Downtown Master Plan which was adopted in 2020 and several other infrastructure projects that eventually led to the implementation of the Downtown Infrastructure Phase 1 project.   The lead in projects included:  Wendover Will City Center Monument (2005), Pueblo Boulevard Beautification and Complete Streets project (2006), West Wendover City Hall (2009), Historic Victory Highway Interpretative Walking Trail (2009) and the Wendover Boulevard Beautification and Complete Streets project (2012).  Additionally, through the past two decades the city worked with the Bureau of Land Management to secure 175 acres of property in the Civic Center area under a Recreation and Public Purpose Lease; 84 acres of that property was converted in 2022 to a direct sale to the city which includes the property associated with the Downtown Project, thus allowing for the eventual private development and ownership of properties in the Downtown.”

The Downtown Infrastructure Phase 1 Project is being completed at a cost of just over $7 million dollars with funding provided by the city and a USDA Rural Development long term low interest loan as well as three grants which totaled $2.1 million (30% of the project costs).   The grants were awarded to the city by the U.S. Economic Development Administration ($1.175 million), Nevada CDBG ($525,000) and a private grant from Nevada Gold Mines ($400,000). 

The completed project includes all the infrastructure needed for future private mixed use (commercial and high density residential) development of the city’s Downtown Area including:  Streets, traffic and pedestrian signals, curb, gutter, pedestrian, bicycle and trail access, lighting, landscaping, the Victory Plaza which is a grassed island with the potential to display future large art projects, a downtown clock, downtown entry monoliths as well as utility stubs for water, sewer, power and data which future developments will connect to.

The city will now undertake the completion of its Downtown Zoning and Form Based Code along with a professional realty team, which will guide the city in proceeding with public/private partnerships for the Downtown’s development to include property sales and/or long-term leases for projects.  Such developments will be guided through the Downtown Zone and Form Based Code along with related development agreements that will ensure projects are shovel ready with appropriate financial backing and construction bonds with timelines for completion.   These conditions will be associated with any sale or lease transactions to ensure the Downtown develops in an orderly and complete fashion providing continuity and value for the investments made by the city and providing long-term sustainability for the project.

As well the city is now pursuing funding to complete the Downtown Infrastructure Phase 2 project which will include a restroom/utility building and children’s recreational splash pad area.  These downtown amenities will be located with the Victory Plaza on the north end of the Downtown.

Mayor Jasie Holm commented on the completion of this project, “Our Downtown is a beautiful location with all the infrastructure a future business will need.  We look forward to the years ahead where those businesses will not be able to resist our city, investing in themselves and our community and with each step fulfilling our city’s motto… West Wendover Come Grow With Us.”

Congratulations to our city and community on this great achievement.  Stay tuned … Our future is just ahead!