Date:  Thursday, September 30, 2010

Contact: Jamie Holter, WSDOT Communications, 206.440.4698 (Seattle)
Lisa Copeland, WSDOT Communications, 360.2789 (Tacoma)
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications. 509.577.1617 (Yakima)

WSDOT auctions land and homes statewide

SEATTLE – The Washington State Department of Transportation’s Real Estate division is putting 20 pieces of property on the auction block Oct. 6, 2010. The parcels include view land and suburban homes from King to Kitsap to Benton counties.

WSDOT bought the parcels for construction or environmental projects, but the land is no longer needed so it will be sold at fair market value in a sealed bid auction scheduled for October 6. Winners need not be present to win.

“We have had success selling property in the past,” said Michelle Newlean, WSDOT Real Estate Services. “Just last year, we sold a handful of cute ski cabins as we made way for a bridge replacement project in Whatcom County.”

All money raised goes back into the motor vehicle fund. By law, it cannot go into the general fund.

The Real Estate Services team negotiates property deals with the public and private businesses and agencies. These deals allow WSDOT to build highways, create safe zones, build wetlands, install signs and lights. When the property is no longer needed, it is designated surplus and sold.

October 6’s auction is a sealed bid auction. Potential buyers have the opportunity to review the land or homes then check the minimum bid price. All potential buyers must fill out a bid form which can be found on the Web at www.wsdot.wa.gov/RealEstate/Auction_generalsalesterms.htm. All bids must be received by 1:15 p.m. the day of the auction in order to qualify.

If you are interested in taking a virtual tour of the land up for sale, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/RealEstate/Auction/default.htm. It is sorted by county. If you’d like to see a complete list of properties that may come up for auction in the next four years, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/RealEstate/Auction/properties.htm.  

< Go Back