GSA offers historic Harpswell lighthouse, free for the taking
GSA
Little Mark Island and Monument in Harpswell is being offered by the GSA.
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The U.S. General Services Administration has issued a notice of availability for the Little Mark Island and Monument in Harpswell.
The historic property is available at no cost to eligible entities as part of a federal disposal program authorized by the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. This is one of a record number of lighthouses being offered in 2023 to government agencies, nonprofits, and the public via auction.
Under the NHLPA, a historic lighthouse that is no longer needed by the U.S. Coast Guard is made available at no cost to eligible entities defined as:
- Federal agencies
- State and local agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Educational agencies or community development organizations for educational purposes
- Park, recreational, cultural, or historic preservation purposes
The property comprises Little Mark Island, approximately 1 acre in size, and the Little Mark Island Monument, a pyramidal stone masonry tower constructed and established as a federal aid to navigation and lifesaving facility in 1827. The monument was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. The monument is no longer an active aid to navigation maintained by the government.
The monument is 18 feet wide at the base and stands 50 feet tall. The tower’s interior is configured like a chimney flue and has a 12-foot square room at the base. The exterior is painted white with a vertical black stripe centered on each of its four sides. Little Mark Island is situated at the southern end and mouth of Merriconeag Sound in Casco Bay. It is accessible by boat. For complete details on the property, including conditions, range of possible uses, commercial activities, utilities, etc., eligible entities can review the Notice of Availability.
Each year, GSA, in conjunction with the USCG, Department of Homeland Security and the National Park Service, issues Notices of Availability for historic light stations as part of the NHLPA. Under the NHLPA, the property may be obtained for educational, park, recreational, cultural, or historic preservation purposes.
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 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
- Nonprofit 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 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 with a Quitclaim Deed. 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, Real Property Utilization and Disposal Division, 10 Causeway St., 11th Floor, Boston, MA 02222 Attention: Sonia Allon-Singh (Sonia.Allon-Singh@gsa.gov)
For more information, visit GSA.gov
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