ROCK SPRINGS – Driving through downtown Rock Springs, several buildings are getting facelifts. The new home of the Rock Springs Main Street/URA is one of these projects which will add to the downtown.
Several years ago, the Bunning family donated the Bunning Transfer Building and it was decided then to make this the new office for the Main Street/URA Department. Earlier this year, the transformation of the building started to take place.
Director Chad Banks told SweetwaterNOW the building is coming along well. The wall framing is finished, the rough plumbing is in, electric conduit has been put in place and the HVAC system in being completed. Patching, sealing and restoring the brick and concrete on the outside is also moving forward.
One of the most notable changes will be when the windows are put in. Banks said the windows should be here in mid October but they have had some issues getting them here which has put the project behind by about four weeks. Banks stressed this is not adding any additional costs to the project.
Recently, Banks said they also had the opportunity to pick out all the colors, furniture and other fixtures which will be in the building. He said they really wanted to keep it historic, so they picked neutral colors to keep that historic look.
Besides the URA/Main Street offices, the building will also have a visitor’s center and will have public restrooms. Banks said the bathrooms are a great addition because residents who go to events downtown, such as the Farmer’s Market or the Rods and Rails Car show, can utilize these bathrooms.
After the offices and visitor center are complete, it still leaves a big space which is open. Banks explained they are hoping to use the open space for events such as a possible winter farmer’s market.
“We believe this is going to be a great addition to the downtown,” Banks said. “We are excited about returning the building back to provide other uses to the area.”
Banks said a tentative finish day would be in November and, hopefully, they will be moved into the finished building by Thanksgiving.
