A four-month bidding war for the former Madawaska port of entry has come to an end with the sale of the building. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal properties, announced that the property at 63 Bridge St. was sold yesterday for a final bid of $173,000.
The GSA launched the auction in late August, starting with an initial bid of $25,000. Interest in the property surged dramatically this month, with 71 of the total 89 bids placed in the last three weeks alone. This intense activity more than tripled the November 14 offer of $52,050.
The property includes a 5,800-square-foot building situated on about one acre of land. Built in 1959, the facility was decommissioned in August 2024 when U.S. Customs and Border Protection moved into a new $73 million building. This move coincided with the opening of the new Madawaska International Bridge, which connects the Aroostook County town with Edmundston, New Brunswick.
At this time, the identity of the buyer remains unknown. GSA representatives were not immediately available for comment, as the auction site identifies bidders by numbers rather than names.
The bidding competition primarily involved three parties who continuously outbid one another. The most active bidder placed 43 bids ranging from $26,000 to $172,000. The second most frequent bidder submitted 16 offers over about two weeks in December, ranging from $134,000 to $171,000. Meanwhile, the winning bidder submitted 14 bids, starting at $50,000 on September 30. Together, these three bidders accounted for 73 of the 89 total bids.
The auction faced some delays due to the recent government shutdown, along with several extensions prompted by the high volume of bidding activity. According to GSA officials, the sale can only close if there are no bids submitted within a 24-hour period. As the bidding intensified, with offers coming in within minutes or hours, the auction period was extended multiple times.
It’s uncommon for the government to auction off former ports of entry, noted the GSA. From the outset, officials expressed hope that selling the building would foster local growth.
“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,” said Public Buildings Service Regional Commissioner Glenn C. Rotondo in August.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/12/30/aroostook/aroostook-government/former-madawaska-port-of-entry-sold/