U.S. General Services Administration
GSA seeks to transfer Tarpaulin Cove Light on Naushon Island in Gosnold, Mass., to agency or nonprofit
BOSTON – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) issued a Notice of Availability for the Tarpaulin Cove Light on Naushon Island in Gosnold, Mass. The historic lighthouse is available at no cost to eligible entities as part of a federal disposal program enabled by the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) of 2000.
Under the NHLPA, a lighthouse that has been determined excess to the needs of the U.S.
Coast Guard (USGC) is made available at no cost to eligible entities defined as:
- Federal departments or agencies.
- State and local departments or agencies.
- Local government of community where light station is located; and
- State-certified nonprofit organizations, educational agencies or community development organizations.
Each year, GSA, in conjunction with the USCG, and the National Park Service (NPS), issues Notices of Availability for historic light stations as part of the NHLPA. Under the NHLPA, the property must be used for educational, park, recreational, cultural, or historic preservation purposes.
The property comprises a 0.13-acre parcel (75’ x 75’ square plot). Constructed in 1856, the Tarpaulin Cove Light tower is 38-foot tall, 19-foot wide cylindrical painted-brick building on a concrete foundation with an attached workroom on the west side of the tower. The painted, cast-iron lantern has a solar powered 300 mm optic light. The Aids to Navigation (ATON) will remain the personal property of the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The light station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and must be maintained according to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards.
Naushon Island is a private island and is used primarily for seasonal residential housing. The 5,000-acre island is largely undeveloped and covered with beech forests and scrub shrubs. There are no paved roads on the island, only dirt paths.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, thirty (30) residents permanently reside on the island. The undeveloped property that immediately surrounds the Property is owned by the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife.
For complete details on the property, including condition, range of possible uses, utilities, etc. eligible entities can review the Notice of Availability.
Any eligible entity with an interest in acquiring the property for a use consistent with the purposes stated above should submit a letter of interest to the address below within 60 (sixty) days from the date of this notice.
Letters of interest should include:
- Name of property
- Name of eligible entity
- Point of contact, title, address, phone and email
- Non-profit agencies must provide a copy of their state-certified articles of incorporation before the end of the 60-day Notice period.
Eligible entities that submit a letter of interest will be sent an application from the NPS and given an opportunity to inspect the property. Building inspectors and/or contractors may accompany the applicant on the inspection. The application is due within 90 days from the date of the site inspection.
NPS will review all applications and may recommend one applicant to receive the property. If a recommendation is made, GSA will complete the conveyance to the selected entity. Pursuant to Section 305106 of the NHLPA, the property will be sold if it is not transferred to an eligible entity.
Letters of interest should be directed to:
U.S. General Services Administration
Office of Real Property Disposition, Chicago Operations Branch
Federal Real Property Disposition Division (1PZ)
10 Causeway Street, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02222
Attention: Giselle Rubiera (Giselle.Rubiera@gsa.gov)
GSA’s New England Region Real Property Utilization and Disposal Division provides realty services to federal agencies throughout the region, as well as in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
About GSA:
GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing over $100 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.