TUESDAY, May 12, 2026 |
Photo – Vacant home on South Side of Rawlins – Courtesy City of Rawlins
The Rawlins City Council approved the demolition of an unsafe building on the city’s south side.
During the May 5th Rawlins City Council meeting, Community Development Director Lou Lascano said residents had raised concerns about a vacant house at 440 West Davis Street, a structure already designated as a dangerous building by the city. Lascano said the former home is actively deteriorating.
Lascano said the former occupants died and no one has stepped up to claim the property. The community development director said he and City Manager Matt Hall believe the building should be torn down, adding that it more than meets the city’s requirements for demolition.
Lascano said city staff are struggling to keep kids and vagrants out of the house and recommended tearing it down. He said the city has enough money in the dangerous building fund to cover the work and asked the governing body for a recommendation.
Councilman Steve Sanger asked City Attorney Pinita Maberry‑Nave for a legal assessment. Attorney Maberry‑Nave said the city has clear authority to proceed with the removal of the home.
After the demolition, Attorney Maberry‑Nave recommended placing a lien on the property to recover the city’s costs. She added that the Wyoming Department of Health already holds a $97,796 lien for care provided to the former owner.
However, the parcel is only valued at $43,101. Maberry‑Nave said the state may give up its claim due to the low chance of recovering the debt.
Attorney Maberry‑Nave said removing the structure would improve safety and make the site more appealing to developers. She added that the city is willing to waive a portion of its lien to bring the parcel back to the tax base.
Community Development Director Lou Lascano said he received a $12,000 bid to demolish the home. However, Lascano said the price does not include landfill fees. Once the work is finished, he said the landfill charges will be added to the lien total. The community development director said the contractor can clear the property in three days.
Any items of value, which Lascano said appear to be minimal, will be held by the city. If the heirs do not claim them within a reasonable timeframe, the items will be sold.
Councilman Derek Elliott asked why the city would hire an outside contractor instead of using its own staff to tear the house down. Lascano said crews could be called away for other duties, leaving the site in a more hazardous condition. A contractor would ensure the property is cleared within three days.
Councilman Elliott asked how the demolition would be funded. Lascano said the sale of scrap metal from the Lawrence Property generated $15,300. He said that money would cover most of the cost, with any remaining money coming from the dangerous building fund, which was created specifically to purchase and abate derelict properties within city limits.
The City Council unanimously voted to demolish the home at 440 West Davis Street.
