Monday JULY 28, 2025 |
Photo – Map showing property owned by City of Rawlins – Bigfoot99 file photo
Rawlins officials plan to sell scrap vehicles from the fire-damaged Lawrence Property before conducting a detailed environmental assessment.
On July 6th, 2024, illegal fireworks sparked the largest fire ever recorded within the city limits of Rawlins. The flames scorched approximately four and a half acres in the heart of the city, centered on the former Lawrence Salvage Yard on East Spruce Street. In response, the Rawlins City Council voted to use $230,000 from the Dangerous Building Fund to purchase the damaged property.
The Dangerous Building Fund was created by a previous City Council using $500,000 from the city’s budget. Through the fund, city officials can buy abandoned private properties, clean up blight, and resell the land to private investors. The money from the sale is put back into the fund for future use.
The decision to purchase the Lawrence Property passed by a narrow four-to-three vote. At the time of the approval, then-Mayor Terry Weickum said revitalizing the fire-damaged property in the center of the city will bring numerous economic opportunities.
Dissenting Council members pointed out that the property had served as a salvage yard for decades and may contain unknown contamination. Despite their concerns, the purchase was finalized last December.
In early June, City Manager Tom Sarvey announced that he had allocated an additional $200,000 to remove the 80 derelict vehicle and other pieces of debris from the former scrapyard.
At the July 15th Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilman Terry Patterson requested an update on the number of city-owned properties, including the Lawrence Property, as well as the current plans for their use. City Manager Tom Sarvey replied that Community Development Director Lou Lascano has prepared an updated list of all city-owned properties. Sarvey said the next step is to determine what to do with the land.
City Manager Sarvey said he is working to modernize the city’s 13-year-old master plan, which provides a roadmap for future development. Once the revised document is complete, Sarvey said he will have a better understanding of how best to dispose of the properties.
Sarvey said he believes that the city is holding too many properties.
Regarding the Lawrence Property, the City Manager said he is waiting to receive bids for the removal of the scrap metal. Cleanup efforts will begin once a contractor has been selected.
Once the debris is cleared from the former scrapyard, Sarvey said the city will initiate a Phase II environmental study through the Brownfields program. The federal Environmental Protection Agency established the Brownfields program in 1995 to provide financial assistance to municipalities dealing with abandoned or underutilized properties that may contain environmental contamination. Last year, the City of Rawlins received $500,000 through the Brownfields program to conduct environmental assessments of its vacant sites. Sarvey said the Lawrence Property had a Phase I study performed in the past that showed no signs of contamination. A more detailed examination is needed before the land can be developed.
After the Phase II study is completed, Sarvey said he will determine if the property should be sold or used by the city for another purpose.
Councilman Steve Sanger asked if the approximately 80 derelict vehicles still on the Lawrence Property will be included in the scrap sale. City Manager Sarvey said many of the cars lack titles and selling them for scrap would be the most cost-effective option. However, Sarvey acknowledged that some vehicles may be of interest to collectors, adding that he has not yet determined how to proceed.
Sarvey offered to hold a special work session with the City Council to discuss the properties in greater detail. During their July 15th meeting, the governing body did confirm that a work session would occur.
