MaineGeneral to auction campuses online

Two central Maine hospitals will be sold through an online auction as MaineGeneral Medical Center continues to consolidate its operations.

MaineGeneral's Augusta hospital campus and the Seton campus in Waterville will go on sale to prequalified buyers Oct. 22-24 through Jones Lang LaSalle, a Boston-based commercial real estate firm, according to the Kennebec Journal.

MaineGeneral will set a minimum bid of $1.7 to $2 million for each campus according to Paul Stein, administrative director for support services. The properties were appraised at $2.5 to $3.5 million six months ago, but appraisers noted that the unique layout of the properties would make them difficult to market, said Stein.

MaineGeneral is preparing to open a new 192-bed hospital in north Augusta by December 2013, but will not be ready to move in until sometime in 2014. As part of the sale, the buyer would be able to charge MaineGeneral to rent the facilities, which can be bid on separately or as a pair.

The Augusta property includes a seven-floor hospital, parking lots, three houses and another building situated on 19 acres of land bordering the Kennebec River. The Seton campus in Waterville covers 88 acres, and includes an eight-story building.

MaineGeneral will retain its Thayer campus in Waterville. The facility, with a 24-hour emergency department and outpatient services, will soon see a $10 million renovation and will eliminate all inpatient beds.