MoDOT Getting Rid of Goods in Spring Property Sale

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is spring cleaning and getting rid of some excess property. It will be be selling off parcels of land the department no longer needs to build, improve or maintain the state highway system, and there are acres for sale in the .   

A few years ago, the department began an aggressive effort to sell excess property and put the money toward road and bridge projects. According to MoDOT, the move has proved successful. Between July '08 and Jan. '11, the agency has conveyed 726 parcels generating $10.8 million.

This month, MoDOT's Realty to Roads program hopes for similar success with its third sales blitz - an all-out attempt to sell multiple properties across the state in a short period of time.  Including Hazelwood land, there are 39 parcels ranging in size from one-tenth of an acre to 199 acres available for purchase between March 28 and April 1, by either auction or sealed bid. 

"While we no longer need this land, the parcels we're selling are valuable, and we're trying to find that right buyer," said Gregory Wood, Realty to Roads project director in MoDOT's Right of Way Division, in a press release.

Selling excess property not only brings in money for highway projects, Wood said it also reduces liability and puts the property back on the tax rolls, which is an advantage for local communities.

They type of properties up for sale include several former MoDOT maintenance sites, along with some property the department purchased to restore wetlands as part of its dedication to land preservation. Wood said the use of the wetland sites would be restricted by land preservation laws, but added that it would be attractive property to buyers looking for the peace and quiet of undeveloped and protected land. 

There are eight properties for sale in St. Louis County, and one available in St. Charles County.

MoDOT's district offices will handle the property sales for the land in their respective regions. Most of the property will be conveyed by sealed bid, while other properties will be sold at public auction or online. Property details, including the sale dates and times, can be found online.