Cody City Council takes steps to protect downtown district

CODY (WNE) — The Cody City Council took the first steps in protecting the historical integrity of downtown’s historical appearance at its Tuesday evening meeting.

The proposed ordinances were endorsed by Cody Mayor Lee Ann Reiter.

“As part of city leadership, one of our main sources of income is tourism,” she said. “People do not come to Cody to see six story glass hotels.”

The ordinances are aimed at recognizing the history and culture of the downtown area and protecting its architectural integrity, City Attorney Scott Kolpitcke said.

The downtown district covers the entire area between Beck and Alger from 8th to 15th street. The ordinances will create a number of guidelines for property owners in the area to follow when beginning new construction.

“[There is a list] of materials that are approved, such as brick, wood, sandstone, or alternative materials that have the same appearance,” Kolpitcke said.  “In addition, there is a requirement of how the building materials shall be of low reflectance and finished in subtle, muted, or earth-toned colors. This only applies to the portion of the building facing the street.”

Tuesday’s meeting marked the first reading and approval of the ordinances, which will have to be reviewed two more times before going into effect.

This story was published on January 22, 2025.