The U.S. government is auctioning a former border crossing facility in Madawaska, Maine, located across from Edmunston, New Brunswick. The online auction begins on Wednesday, August 20, with an initial asking price of $25,000. Bidding will increase in increments of $1,000, according to a press release from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

The property spans nearly one acre along the Saint John River. The GSA aims to transform this underutilized facility into a space for community and economic development. Glenn C. Rotondo, the Public Buildings Service Regional Commissioner, stated, "GSA is transforming an underutilized border facility into an opportunity for community and economic development."

The building features a first floor of 2,900 square feet and an additional 2,900 square feet in a finished basement. The southern part of the property is flat and paved, housing a one-story brick building, two canopies, a guard shack, and a generator shed. However, the northern half is situated on a floodplain and cannot be developed. This area consists of a steep, wooded slope that descends approximately 50 feet to the water line of the Saint John River.

Surrounding the property is a paper mill with a rail line. The facility, built in 1959, was closed last year when U.S. Customs and Border Protection moved operations to a new Port of Entry and International Bridge in Madawaska. The new facility, valued at around $73 million, is designed to accommodate increased traffic and will include administrative offices and training space.

In a related development, parts of the old bridge were salvaged by the town. A local artist proposed creating a 20-foot sculpture of an Acadian star using materials from the bridge to honor the shared Francophone cultural heritage of the two countries. Acadians are descendants of French settlers who arrived in Canada’s Maritime Provinces during the 17th and 18th centuries. Aroostook County has a rich Acadian culture, with many residents preserving their heritage.

Interested bidders can find the invitation for bids and further details about the property on the auction webpage. Only registered bidders will be permitted to inspect the property by appointment.