(Washington, DC)  The District of Columbia abandoned vehicle auctions have been suspended indefinitely while the Department of Public Works conducts a cost/benefit analysis to determine the viability of continuing the auctions.  A decision is expected by the end of the fiscal year, September 30.

According to William Howland, DPW Acting Director, “Our aim is to get abandoned and dangerous vehicles off DC streets and off our impoundment lots as quickly as possible. It’s all about efficiency of disposal.”  Further, he added, “We’ve tried the auction model.  Now, we want to see what happens if we don’t hold the auctions, or hold auctions less frequently, and send most of the vehicles straight to scrap.”

The DC Municipal Regulations state that any impounded vehicle that remains unclaimed for 28 days after notification of the last known owner becomes the property of the District and can be sold or disposed of as scrap.

The public auction of impounded abandoned and junk vehicles, normally takes place twice monthly at the Blue Plains Storage and Auction Facility at 5001 Shepherd Parkway, SW.