Wednesday, April 15, 2026 |
Photo – Map showing the Lawrence property – Courtesy City of Rawlins
Rawlins officials discussed the next steps for the former Lawrence Salvage Yard.
On July 6th, 2024, a fire burned roughly four and a half acres in the center of Rawlins. In the following months, the City Council voted to purchase the fire‑damaged Lawrence Property on East Spruce Street for $230,000 using the Dangerous Buildings Fund, a dedicated account for rehabilitating derelict properties. The sale was finalized in December 2024 and ownership was transferred from Jack and Elden Cozort to the city.
Since that time, city officials have removed tons of debris, including antique vehicles, train cars, and scrap metal, to make the property more appealing to developers. In addition, the city contacted the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to conduct a brownfields assessment of the site. Wyoming DEQ performed historical studies of the property to determine if it contains hazardous materials, such as asbestos, lead‑based paint, or industrial chemicals. If contamination is found, the agency will help the city secure funding for remediation.
During the April 7th Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilwoman Tonya Lewman reported seeing vehicles on the Lawrence Property and asked why city staff were still working at the site. Community Development Director Lou Lascano said crews are unable to transport any more waste to the city landfill. Lascano added that Wyoming DEQ has completed its contamination study and that he and City Manager Matt Hall will review the assessment in the near future.
Lascano said 99.9 percent of the scrap on the southern end of the property has been removed.
The community development director said the city intends to prepare the north side of the property, which sits at a lower elevation, for new home construction. However, developing the site will require the Council to approve a zone change recommendation.
Councilwoman Lewman had no further questions about the Lawrence Property, and the meeting moved on to the next agenda item.
On Monday afternoon, Ward One Councilman Derek Elliot posted a video to social media explaining his opposition to building homes on the northern side of the Lawrence Property. Councilman Elliot said traffic on East Spruce Street can be very heavy, especially during Carbon County Fair, and that a parking lot would benefit the public more than expanding the nearby Hillside Mobile Home Community.
Councilman Elliot then showed the steep road leading to the northern end of the Lawrence Property. The Ward One representative said city staff have discussed using the area for industrial businesses. However, without improved access, Councilman Elliot said he doesn’t support the idea.
Councilman Elliot’s video then showed a pile of dirt and wooden beams, and he remarked that he hoped the material will be cleaned up.
The Ward One representative concluded his video by reiterating that East Spruce Street often sees heavy traffic and that a parking lot on the Lawrence Property would be a better fit than additional homes.
Community Development Director Lou Lascano has been out of the office and has yet to review Wyoming DEQ’s contamination study of the Lawrence Property. More information is expected to be available early next week.
