Thursday, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 |
Photo – Overhead image of old Lawrence Salvage Yard – Courtesy City of Rawlins
Rawlins officials have decided not to allow residents to purchase abandoned vehicles from the former Lawrence Salvage Yard.
On July 6th, 2024, illegal fireworks sparked the largest fire ever recorded within Rawlins’ city limits. The flames scorched approximately four and a half acres in the center of the city, focused almost entirely on the former Lawrence Salvage Yard on East Spruce Street.
In response, the Rawlins City Council voted to use $230,000 from the Dangerous Building Fund to purchase the damaged property, with the intent of removing blight and reselling the land to private investors. Proceeds from the sale will be returned to the Dangerous Building Fund for future use.
The decision to purchase the Lawrence Property passed by a narrow four-to-three vote.
In June 2025, City Manager Tom Sarvey allocated an additional $200,000 to remove approximately 80 derelict vehicles and other debris from the property. The sale of the scrap metal will be used to help offset the cleanup costs.
Speaking at the July 15th Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilman Steve Sanger asked if the junk vehicles will be included in the scrap sale. City Manager Sarvey said many of the cars lack titles and selling them for scrap would be the most cost-effective option. However, Sarvey acknowledged that some vehicles may be of interest to collectors.
At the time, City Manager Sarvey said he had not yet determined how to handle the abandoned cars.
During the September 2nd Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilman Terry Patterson asked if a decision had been made about selling the derelict vehicles from the Lawrence Property. Community Development Director Lou Lascano responded that many of the purportedly collectible cars are too damaged to hold any real value. While some may still appeal to classic vehicle enthusiasts, Lascano said the City must consider the risks of allowing the public to access the property.
The matter was discussed once again during the September 16th Rawlins City Council meeting. Councilman Patterson said residents are still inquiring about the derelict vehicles and asked if the city could find a way to let them access the Lawrence Property.
Rawlins Police Chief and Acting City Manager Mike Ward, who is filling in while City Manager Tom Sarvey is on extended medical leave, said the decision has been made to simply scrap everything on the Lawrence Property. Selling everything at once is the fastest way to remove all the scrap metal.
Acting City Manager Ward added that he was told none of the derelict vehicles hold any value, either due to neglect or damage sustained in the fire.
Not only would allowing people onto the Lawrence Property to examine the vehicles expose the city to potential litigation, Chief Ward said city staff simply do not have the time to hold a public auction.
Later in the meeting, the governing body voted to award the Lawrence Property scrap removal contract to Steed Metals of Rock Springs. The company has agreed to pay the city $41 per ton for all metal removed from the site. The job is expected to be completed by Wednesday, October 22nd.
