MADAWASKA, Maine — The U.S. General Services Administration announced Monday that the site of Madawaska’s former land port of entry will go up for auction on Wednesday.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officially closed the old facility last year to make way for a new land port of entry and international bridge.
Officials on both sides of the border held a grand opening for the facilities one year ago. The old bridge was over a century old and was posted at 5 tons in 2017 due to its condition.
Parts of the old bridge, however, were saved by the town. A local artist recently pitched a plan to create a 20-foot sculpture of an Acadian star out of materials from the bridge to celebrate the town’s heritage and the connection between the two countries that the old bridge created.
The old port of entry was roughly 65 years old, and the new facility will include room for expanded services and increases in traffic. The new facility, worth roughly $73 million, will also be energy efficient and include administrative offices and training spaces.
In a press release, the General Services Administration said that the auction represents its commitment to serve taxpayers and reduce spending by being responsible with public assets.
“In the spirit of fiscal responsibility and smart asset management, GSA is transforming an underutilized border facility into an opportunity for community and economic development,” Public Buildings Service Regional Commissioner Glenn C. Rotondo said in the release. “This auction represents our ongoing commitment to maximize value for hardworking American taxpayers while responsibly divesting government real estate that no longer serves its original purpose.”
The old building is located at 63 Bridge Ave. along the St. John River. It is approximately 5,800 square feet, split between a first floor and a basement. The property itself is 1 acre. It is also near the rail line and paper mill.
Bids will start at $25,000. The auction opens at 9 a.m. on Aug. 20. More information is available on the government’s real estate auction website.