March 4, 2024 |
Photo – Kum & Go in Rawlins – Courtesy Google Maps
Rawlins officials discuss whether they should sell or continue renting a specific piece of city-owned property.
During the February 20th Rawlins city council meeting, Interim City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave explained that the Kum & Go located at 1115 North Higley Boulevard has leased the property for nearly 50 years. Attorney Maberry-Nave said the original lease was renewed twice over that time. The city attorney said the convenience store has been paying $3,000 a month to occupy the site for the last 20 years.
In August of 2023, the convenience store chain Maverik bought all Kum & Go stores for an undisclosed amount of money. Estimates put the price somewhere around $2 billion. Over the next two years, all Kum & Go stores in Wyoming will be rebranded under the Maverick umbrella.
The city attorney said the 1987 Mariano Associates v Sublette County Commissioners ruling gives Rawlins the option to legally void the existing lease with the convenience store chain at this time.
Attorney Maberry-Nave said Maverik intends to continue to operate a store from the same location. The city attorney said Maverik officials have expressed interest in potentially buying the property from the city.
Rawlins Mayor Terry Weickum asked Attorney Maberry-Nave if the city would need to open the sale to a public bidding process if it chose to dispose of the property. The city attorney said she will investigate the matter and get back to the council at a later time. Mayor Weickum said selling the property while it is under lease may present unexpected difficulties.
Mayor Weickum instructed City Manager Tom Sarvey to consult with local realtors and determine how much the city should be charging for rent on the property. The mayor said a lot has changed since 2006.
Rawlins staff will continue to investigate the city’s options regarding the lease on the property on the corner of North Higley Boulevard and East Murray Street and return with more information at a future city council meeting.
