The Casper Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board met Thursday and approved two $5,000 Boost grants that will directly benefit downtown businesses and community programming. The first award will support the Casper Youth Hub’s planned haunted house, scheduled for Oct. 30‑31, while the second will match a façade renovation for the local retailer Fashion Crossroads.
Youth‑led haunted house receives funding
DDA Executive Director Melissa Hugget explained that the $5,000 sponsorship will cover the lease of the Atrium space at 201 E. 2nd St. and the electrical work needed to safely host the event. The Casper Youth Hub, a youth‑focused community center, will run the haunted house as a fundraiser and a safe, creative outlet for local teens. The board’s unanimous vote makes the grant contingent on the organizers obtaining all required city permits and coordinating with partner organizations.
Fashion Crossroads gets matching façade grant
The second grant will match up to $5,000 of the retailer’s own investment in a storefront upgrade. Fashion Crossroads plans to replace its existing signage with a two‑part awning that displays the store’s logo, improving the visual appeal of the downtown corridor. The total cost of the project is estimated at $10,027.50, and the DDA will contribute the maximum matching amount.
Art show grant request denied
In the same meeting, the board turned down a $5,000 sponsorship request from photographer Cari Faye Antonovich for an upcoming exhibition at ART 321, located at 321 Midwest Ave. Although the proposal initially received support from the DDA Boost Advisory Committee, board member and City Council liaison Kyle Gamroth raised a procedural concern: ART 321 sits in the Old Yellowstone District, outside the DDA’s defined boundaries.
“While I like her as a person — love her art — I’m going to be a no,” Gamroth said. “I’m a stickler for rules. … Either remove it from the criteria sheet or enforce it.”
Other board members agreed. Tony Hager warned that granting funds to properties outside the district could undermine future expansion efforts, as property owners might be less motivated to join the DDA and pay assessment taxes if they can receive benefits without membership.
Gamroth emphasized the need for consistency, noting that “if you go across the street, then somebody a block down is going to say, ‘Well, you did it for them.’ Pretty soon it’s going to be out in [Paradise Valley].”
Implications for downtown development
These decisions illustrate the DDA’s focus on supporting projects that directly benefit the downtown core and adhere to established guidelines. By funding a youth‑run event and a storefront improvement, the authority is investing in both community engagement and the visual vitality of Casper’s main street. At the same time, the board’s refusal to stretch grant resources beyond its jurisdiction reinforces the importance of clear boundaries for future development incentives.
Local business owners and community leaders praised the board’s commitment to rule‑based decision‑making, noting that transparent criteria help maintain confidence in the DDA’s grant program. The Casper Youth Hub’s haunted house is expected to draw families and visitors to the downtown area, while Fashion Crossroads’ façade upgrade should enhance the overall streetscape, encouraging further investment in the district.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
