DECEMBER 2, 2024 |
Photo – Overhead view of the “Lawrence Property” – Courtesy City of Rawlins
The Rawlins city government has agreed to purchase a property, in the center of town, that was damaged by fire.
On the evening of July 6, 2024, a fire broke out on Rodeo Court, behind Fremont Motors, in Rawlins. The flames burned three properties across a four-and-a-half-acre area, with most of the damage being sustained by the salvage yard located southeast of Rodeo Court. At the time, Rawlins Fire Chief Allen Robinson told Bigfoot99 that the blaze was most likely caused by illegal fireworks. However, the matter remains under investigation.
Fast forward to the November 19th Rawlins city council meeting. After a lengthy executive session behind closed doors, the governing body motioned to purchase roughly 12 and a half acres of land between Fremont Motors and the Carbon County Fairgrounds, including the property affected by last summer’s fire.
Last week, Bigfoot99 spoke with Rawlins City Manager Tom Sarvey about the purchase. Sarvey said following the fire, the city began talks with the property owner to purchase the lot, which had operated as a salvage yard since the mid-20th century. Using money from the dangerous building fund, Sarvey explained that the city intends to remediate the land and bring it back onto the tax rolls.
Several decades ago, the Rawlins city council set aside $500,000 to create the dangerous building fund. The purpose of the fund is to buy abandoned and derelict properties, clean up the land, and then sell the parcels for a profit. The fund is expected to be replenished through property sales.
City Manager Sarvey said the Lawrence property owners have asked to keep the sale price confidential.
Serving as a salvage yard for about 80 years, the property has accumulated many old cars and various scrap metal items. Sarvey said the city intends to remove those items and offer the property for sale to a private investor.
At the November 19th city council meeting, Councilman Darril Garner recommended waiting to buy the Lawrence property until a detailed study can be performed. Without knowing exactly what hazards the land may contain, Councilman Garner said the city could be getting itself into financial trouble.
Additionally, Councilman Garner said he believes that public funds should not be used to purchase hazardous properties, and that remediation efforts should be handled by the private sector.
Speaking to Bigfoot99, City Manager Sarvey said roughly five years ago, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality conducted a phase one study on the Lawrence property through the Brownfields Assistance program. The study involved the DEQ performing a visual inspection of the land and a review of the property’s history.
Sarvey said the first site assessment did not show a concerning amount of contamination in the area.
After taking ownership of the land, the city will use part of a $500,000 Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields grant to pay for additional testing.
Sarvey said he expects the proceeds from selling the old cars and various metal items on the land will cover the costs to remediate the Lawrence property.
Sarvey was unable to provide an estimated total price for the cleanup project.
After news of the sale went public, Rawlins residents asked why the city was spending money to buy dangerous properties instead of fixing the failing water and sewer system. Sarvey explained that the dangerous building fund is separate from the general budget and must be used for its original purpose.
City Manager Sarvey said by using the dangerous building fund to revitalize unused land, the city will look nicer and increase the potential for economic growth. Additionally, the derelict properties may be used to increase the availability of affordable housing.
Back at the November 19th Rawlins city council meeting, Mayor Terry Weickum and council members Chris Weisenburg, Bruce Seilaff, and Jacquelin Wells voted to move forward with the Lawrence property purchase. Vice Mayor Stever Sanger and council members Tonya Lewman and Darril Ganer were opposed to the measure. With a four to three majority, the motion passed.
