Laramie Main Street marks 20 years of downtown revitalization

Empty storefronts and buildings marked for demolition have given way to a downtown where, by Main Street America’s count, virtually every storefront is occupied and housing demand remains strong. That is the clearest measure of what 20 years of Laramie Main Street has changed in the city’s historic core: more active businesses, more investment in old properties, and a downtown that now functions as both a commercial district and a community gathering place.

Laramie Main Street marked its 20th year in 2025 as a 501(c)3 formed in 2005 to work with business owners, property owners, consumers, local government, district residents and the workforce. The group operates under Wyoming Main Street, which is coordinated by the Wyoming Business Council and follows the national Main Street approach built around design, organization, economic restructuring and promotion. That framework was meant to protect downtown’s historic character while pushing new economic activity into storefronts, upper floors and public spaces.

The change is measurable. Laramie Main Street said it had logged 430 private building rehabilitation projects since 2005, including preservation work and second-story residential projects. Wyoming Truth reported that the broader effort helped drive $21 million in public and private investments, nearly 400 private rehabilitation projects, nearly 150 net new businesses and close to 700 net new jobs. Main Street America said that two decades ago Laramie’s historic core was struggling, with only one or two restaurants still open and several buildings needing demolition, before Wyoming Main Street funded a comprehensive downtown plan that aligned local stakeholders around shared goals.

The organization’s footprint now extends well beyond building facades. Laramie Main Street said it has grown from an all-volunteer effort into a staff of four, plus student interns and volunteers, and that it provides free services to downtown business and property owners. It also offers grants for signage, maintenance and renovation or preservation. Its events calendar has become part of downtown’s identity, with Brewfest, Farmers Market, Small Business Saturday, the Holiday Parade, Pop Up Art Walk, Train Lighting and the International Flavor Festival all tied to the district’s draw.

Executive Director Trey Sherwood has pointed to deeper partnerships with the City of Laramie, Visit Laramie and the University of Wyoming as the next step, especially as downtown planning and redevelopment discussions continue. The City of Laramie’s Downtown Development Authority is already working on the central business district’s future, which means the next phase will not just be about celebrating what changed since 2005. It will be about deciding how much more downtown can absorb, preserve and build on without losing the historic core that made the revival worth pursuing.