June 16th 2026 |
Photo: Courtesy City of Rawlins
Rawlins officials have removed a dangerous structure and will attempt to recover costs after the property is sold.
Last month, the Rawlins City Council voted to demolish the vacant house located at 440 West Davis Street. During the May 5th meeting, Community Development Director Lou Lascano said residents had raised concerns about the structure, which the city already designated as a dangerous building. Lascano said the house was actively deteriorating.
Lascano informed the governing body that the former occupants had died and no one has stepped up to claim the property. He said he received a $12,000 bid to demolish the home. However, the price does not include the fees to haul the debris to the city landfill.
City Attorney Pinita Maberry‑Nave recommended placing a lien on the property to recover the city’s costs, adding that the Wyoming Department of Health already holds a $97,796 lien for care provided to the former owner.
City Manager Matt Hall provided an update on the house demolition during the May 19th City Council meeting. Hall reported that more than 250 tons of material was taken to the landfill, at a cost of $22,000 to the city. He said that amount, along with the cost of demolition, will be added to the city’s lien on the property.
Hall added that he was in talks with the Wyoming Department of Health in Cheyenne to remove its lien on the property, as the state is highly unlikely to recover its costs.
At the next Rawlins City Council meeting on June 2nd, Councilman Steve Sanger asked why the city was able to demolish this particular house when similar efforts in the past have been prevented.
Attorney Pinita Maberry‑Nave responded that under state law, the city has always had the authority to address dangerous buildings, even those in private hands. She said she did not know why the city was unable to deal with such structures in the past.
Attorney Maberry‑Nave added that the city entered into a memorandum of understanding with the county to make removing dangerous buildings easier, which may also have contributed to the quick demolition of the Davis Street house.
With the property now cleared, Attorney Maberry‑Nave said she will file a lien to recover the city’s demolition costs once the parcel sells. However, she noted that she must first confirm there are no heirs before she can proceed with the filing.
The city is also working to demolish the former Wyoming Bar at 413 West Front Street, next to Depot Park. Citing major liability concerns involving asbestos, lead, and structural blight, the Rawlins Downtown Development Authority secured a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to remove the 126‑year‑old structure.
