Old Yellowstone District Transforms Downtown Casper, WY
Years ago, Casper’s West Central Corridor was a hive of industry. As a bustling rail hub that was home to a significant oil refinery, it fueled a landscape of thriving warehouses and shops. It was also the main artery for travelers heading west to Yellowstone National Park, lined with neon motel signs and busy restaurants.
Then, a nearby street became a state highway, and traffic patterns suddenly changed. The area declined as tourists followed the new route. The refinery shut down in 1991, and four years later, the trains stopped running.
The New OYD
Fast forward to 2026, and the refinery is now a golf course while the tracks are the Casper Rail Trail, enjoyed by runners, walkers and bikers. The renamed Old Yellowstone District, or OYD, has been reborn.
Rundown buildings and abandoned warehouses are replaced by lively spaces like ART 321, The Gaslight Social, Cygnet Brewing and The Drinkery. Developers like Brick & Bond are instrumental in driving this transformation.
“The area was largely forgotten, full of potential but underused,” says Martin Axlund, who grew up in Casper and is now the developer’s chief operating officer. “We saw an opportunity to help shape a downtown neighborhood that’s creative, authentic and community driven. We believe thoughtful development can transform how people experience their city.”
Brick & Bond constructed The Nolan, a mixed-use project with townhomes and commercial space, as well as The Yellowstone, market-rate apartments that are entirely new construction.
“The Nolan included both adaptive reuse and new builds,” Axlund says.
“By adding housing density, these developments strengthen the neighborhood and support the restaurants, shops and cultural venues that make downtown thrive.”
One such OYD venue is David Street Station, a dynamic open-air venue that has become a central gathering point in Casper.
“To me, we’re the heart of the city, where downtown Casper and the OYD meet,” says Whitney Asay, executive director of David Street Station. “We host concerts, festivals, summer markets, family movie nights, a splash pad, the community Christmas tree and an outdoor ice rink. There’s something for everyone and most events are free.”
Asay was also raised in Casper and understands the importance of the OYD’s resurgence.
“Growing up, I didn’t know a ton about the area,” she says. “But I love seeing the connection between downtown and the OYD. To me, there’s not a separation anymore.”
Urban Renewal Realized
Since 2007, the OYD has been a labor of love for Liz Becher, community development director for the City of Casper. She started as an urban renewal manager and worked with the U.S. government to get an Urban Renewal Authority designation. That opened up federal, state and 1-cent grant assistance for the cleanup of blight, business development and infrastructure investment for the OYD. Becher also helped the city create a master plan for the area that won Casper an American Planning Award in 2009.
Getting local businesses and property owners on board was crucial, too.
“We needed to understand their plans for expansion, maintenance or potential sales while answering their questions about redevelopment,” Becher says. “Redevelopment is more challenging than new development and many times more expensive.”
Public funds were used for cleanup, environmental remediation, infrastructure upgrades to streets and utilities, and business recruitment. Over the past 20 years, over $19 million has been invested in those expenses, Becher says. Now, the hard work is paying off. “Momentum really started building in the last five to six years as public and private investment began to align,” Axlund says.
Brick & Bond is actively working on more concepts that add to the district’s walkability and overall experience.
“There’s still room for additional restaurants, retail and entertainment,” Axlund says. “Downtown is the heart of any great city. It’s where identity, history and community come together. Revitalizing the Old Yellowstone District is about strengthening that heartbeat for Casper.”
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