DECEMBER 23, 2024 |
Photo – Map showing Lawrence property – Bigfoot99 file photo
In Rawlins, despite objections from some council members, the governing body agreed, last week, to purchase the fire-damaged Lawrence property.
During the December 17th Rawlins city council meeting, the governing body motioned to have Mayor Terry Weickum finalize the purchase of the former Lawrence Salvage Yard, located south of East Spruce Street, using $230,000 from the dangerous building fund.
In July of this year, a fire broke out in the area and burned 4.5 acres of the 12-acre property. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Last month, the city entered negotiations with the current property owners, Jack and Elden Cozort, to buy the land, remove all debris and scrap metal from the property, and eventually sell the 12-acre parcel to a private developer.
The purchase agreement states that the property includes roughly 40 scrap vehicles and other pieces of equipment, including what is described as a 1971 Ford pickup truck filled with “seabed fossils.”
During the December 17th meeting, Vice Mayor Steve Sanger asked if the list shows every item on the property. City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave stated that the list is not complete. It shows the items that the current property owners were able to identify as belonging to them. The property also contains items not owned by the Cozorts. However, the city attorney said those items should be removed by the December 31st closing date.
Vice Mayor Sanger said he is aware of personal property stored on the land that isn’t on the list, such as a catamaran-style boat. The vice mayor said the city has no way to know if people are removing the correct items. Attorney Maberry-Nave said if an item is not on the list, it does not belong to the current property owners.
Mayor Terry Weickum said only the items on the list are included in the property purchase.
Any items not on the list must be removed before the purchase is finalized. If they are not removed, ownership of those items will transfer to the city.
Given that the property has served as a salvage yard for decades, Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked if the city has a means to cancel the purchase if significant contamination is discovered on the property.
The attorney said the contract states that the city is responsible for cleaning up the land, unless the property owners hide a known issue. However, the city attorney said neither an environmental study performed in October, nor a Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality records request showed any contamination.
Attorney Nave-Maberry also said the federal Environmental Protection Agency does not show any record of hazardous materials on the property.
The property purchase was first discussed during the November 19th Rawlins city council meeting. At the December 17th meeting, Councilman Darril Garner said since that time, many residents have told him that they do not support the purchase.
Instead, Councilman Garner said the city should allow a private investor to purchase and clean up the former Lawrence Salvage Yard.
Years ago, a previous Rawlins city council allocated $500,000 for the purchase and rehabilitation of derelict properties in the city. Speaking at the December 17th meeting, Mayor Weickum said the dangerous building fund was created for specifically for this purpose. Revitalizing the 12-acre property in the heart of the city will create numerous economic opportunities.
Additionally, Mayor Weickum said the city has access to grant opportunities to help cover the cost of remediation, opportunities that private investors do not have.
Councilman Garner suggested that the city should require the property owners to attempt to clean the site before stepping in to cover remediation costs.
Garner again recommended allowing private investors to purchase the land.
Councilman Garner asked if the city could postpone the purchase until a more detailed study into potential hazards is completed.
Mayor Weickum said two environmental studies have been done within the past year. The mayor said with those studies in hand, the city can already legally develop the property.
Following the discussion, the matter was brought up for a vote. The motion to purchase the former Lawrence Salvage Yard property on East Spruce Street passed by a vote of five to two, with council members Darril Garner and Tonya Lewman opposing the deal.
