U.S. General Services Administration
GSA Issues Updated Terms in Sale of 129-Acre Pacific Point in Auburn, WA
AUBURN, WA — Yesterday, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) released a revised set of terms in the sale of the Auburn Federal Complex, also known as the “Pacific Point” property.
GSA’s revised Invitation for Bids (IFB) includes a number of changes. Among them is a new timeline outlining when the buyer will be able to take over control of the property, and a soft close date of Wednesday, February 16, 2022 for the sale. The revisions were adopted based on feedback from potential buyers.
“GSA is committed to transferring the federal campus to a new owner in a timely and fair manner,” said Acting Northwest/Arctic Regional Administrator Lisa Pearson. “These new conditions represent an increased benefit to the buyer and the American taxpayer.”
Several federal agencies are in the process of relocating to other locations while the sale is ongoing.
GSA will also be hosting a webcast on these changes and the auction process to allow for potential buyers to ask questions in advance and to hear from the GSA team as well as the City of Auburn. The planned date for the webcast is Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
The site is being sold via online auction at RealEstateSales.gov. Each bidder is required to submit a bid registration deposit of $500,000 and the minimum opening bid is $80,000,000 (USD).
Background on the sale:
After assessing the economic viability of maintaining the property and aging buildings, GSA determined that disposing of the entire site is the best solution for the federal government.
The plan includes disposal of the entire Auburn Complex, including GSA’s Northwest/Arctic Regional headquarters, the Social Security Administration building, childcare center, all warehouses, and ancillary buildings.
The Auburn Federal Complex is comprised of approximately 129 acres of land located one mile south of the Commercial Business District of the City of Auburn. Originally purchased in 1944 by the United States Army as 435 acres of farmland, it was improved with over 20 dry storage warehouses for use during World War II.
In 1962, GSA took ownership of a 177-acre portion with multiple WWII warehouses, three 1950s era warehouses, an administration office, and a water tower. The remaining U.S. Army property was sold to private developers.
During the 1990s, GSA donated land to the City of Auburn for a park and the Auburn City School Bus Depot. An additional 8.4 acres was donated to the City of Auburn for its municipal fire training center.
The disposal of the Auburn Complex is part of a larger strategy to evaluate underutilized assets, and shrink the federal footprint. Learn more at gsa.gov.