Summer projects to bring temporary labor, potential problems to city

Hundreds of workers will travel to Sidney this summer to labor on the many construction projects soon to be underway.

Both Chief of Police B.J. Wilkinson and City Manager Gary Person acknowledge that the presence of so many additional people in the community could pose some problems. Projects set for construction this summer include the new Sidney Regional Medical Center, many streets for new developments in the Interstate 80 area, as well as work on Fort Sidney Rd, Greenwood Rd and Toledo St., Cabela’s corporate expansion, The Ranch subdivision and the new Marriott hotel—in addition to others.

Wilkinson knows that problems often accompany the arrival of outside workers. He estimated that there could be anywhere from 300-1,000 additional people in Sidney this summer due to all the projects, although they may not all be here at the same time.

“At any given time, I would say that it’s safe to assume that we would probably have between 700-800 additional people that we would consider temporary residents or transient residents,” Wilkinson said.

At least one of the contractors working in Sidney this summer has already booked an entire hotel for its workers.

Wilkinson is aware that there can be issues when men come from out of town, make good money and have nothing to do. If a person has a lot of time on his hands and pockets of cash, it can be a recipe for trouble, Wilkinson commented.

“It’s just a combination of things that are gonna happen,” Wilkinson said.

He and Cheyenne County Sheriff John Jenson are preparing to meet any trouble head on.

“We need to anticipate that there are going to be some problems in our hotels, in our night club establishments and who knows where else,” Wilkinson said.

Both emergency and non-emergency calls at job sites will increase, he said. It will be harder to keep track of people, equipment and vehicles. The fact that many of the people traveling to work in Sidney might come from different cultures and speak different languages could make things more complicated, he added.

“It’s going to be an interesting, exciting, challenging time for us,” Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson and Jenson are working together to create a document they will provide to every general contractor working in the city this summer. They will ask that this document be given to all paid employees. The document will include a list of dos and don’ts when staying in Sidney. Law enforcement want to welcome workers and express appreciation for their participation in the city’s growth, but also to warn them that criminal activity won’t be tolerated.

“When you come to town, you need to behave,” Wilkinson said. “Drinking in public, fighting in public, even personal drug use—all of those things will have zero tolerance attached to them.”

Other activities which local law enforcement intend to cut off from the start are theft, stalking, harassment, threats and driving on suspended licenses.

“All of those things will be dealt with swiftly, surgically and harshly,” Wilkinson said. “And if you play by the rules, we’ll welcome you as either temporary or perhaps someday full time residents of our city.”

The document will ask visitors to treat those who live here with respect.

“I can see that there are going to be certain times that are gonna be difficult to manage,” Wilkinson said.

Both Wilkinson and Jenson have spoken with the city and county about ensuring that their departments are always fully staffed and that equipment is kept in top shape, Wilkinson added.

“We’re both very fortunate that our agencies take good care of use with those things,” Wilkinson. “We have to be cognizant of that at the same time. If something breaks, we’ve got to get it fixed right now.”

Wilkinson added that right now would be a smart time to open an R.V. park or a trailer park in the area. He thinks some workers might be forced to live out of tents while working here.

Person admitted that housing all the construction workers will be a challenge.

“One of the benefits for the smaller, older motels especially in the downtown area, they’ll basically turn into apartments rather than hotels,” Person said. “But you know, it’s gonna make them healthier.”

The city has been attempting to convince locals to put in an additional camp ground in the area and to expand mobile home courts.

“It’s a genuine concern of every contractor,” Person said. “Some of them haven’t even been selected yet so they won’t know all the challenges, but it’s gonna be a problem. The surrounding communities will benefit as well.”

Many workers will end up staying in Kimball and the surrounding villages as well as in Colorado, Person said.

Although the police department is already preparing for the influx of workers, Wilkinson commented that the police will continue to develop strategies to deal with any problems as various issues arise.

“I’m just trying to be as proactive as we can,” Wilkinson said. “Meet problems at the gate.”