The proposed downtown plaza will be named the David Street Station, according to a prepared statement from the Casper Downtown Development Authority and Stateline No. 7 Architects.

The 43,000 square foot civic area at South David Street and the Old Yellowstone Highway will be able to host up to 200 events a year including concerts, ice skating, farmer’s markets, and festivals.

The design features include a band shell and seating area for performances, a splash pad, an ice rink, gateways, on-site restrooms, integrated vendor stations, a second-story observation deck, art installations, public seating areas, and a small area for street performers.
"David Street Station" refers to David Street, where Second Street changes to West Yellowstone Highway through the Old Yellowstone District.

The street was named for Edward David, an employee of Joseph Carey who was an early U.S. Senator and governor of Wyoming, said Shawn Houck of Adbay, a local ad agency that helped guide the naming committee. David worked on the CY Ranch, which comprised much of the land that is now Casper.

The name also refers to Fort Caspar's original name -- Platte Bridge Station, the Pony Express station that was here, and Fire Station No. 1 on David Street.

The design team was lead by downtown Casper business owner and resident, Lyle Murtha, of Stateline No. 7 Architects. “The design is a culmination of ideas from community members, lessons learned from other spaces around the country and what will work best in our climate," Murtha said.

The entire project is estimated to cost $8.5 million, with $1 million of that for an endowment for operations, Downtown Development Authority director Kevin Hawley said. in November. The city will own the plaza and lease it to the DDA, which will operate it.

The city has committed $3 million to the project, and the Wyoming Business Council has allocated $500,000 for a community enhancement grant, Hawley said. The DDA will be applying for a like amount again, bringing total public funding to $4 million.

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