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DNR to sell 200 acres in Alpena County

ALPENA –Two parcels in Alpena County are on the list of public land the Michigan Department of Natural Resources intends to auction off starting today.

The two parcels of property in Alpena County are located south of the intersection of Bloom and Tumbull Mill roads, west of Grass Lake.

A 160-acre parcel of property located a half-mile from the intersection is for sale, with bids starting at $89,600, according to the DNR’s website, and a 40-acre parcel of property located three-quarters of a mile southeast of the intersection is for sale, with bids starting at $22,400.

DNR Real Estate Resource Specialist Michael Michalek said in an email the properties came to the DNR via tax reversion several years ago and are being sold because they are landlocked. That means the DNR has no legal access to the property, which makes it difficult, and sometimes impossible, for the DNR to manage.

“Once the property is purchased, the parcels are private property and can be treated as such,” he said in an email to The News. “The adjacent landowners are the obvious potential buyers. That being said, outside buyers can purchase the property if they can secure a private road easement from a surrounding landowner with road access.”

The winter auction of surplus public land includes 147 individual parcels from around the state, according to a DNR news release.

“Much of the land offered at this auction is isolated from other DNR-managed property, which creates some management challenges,” Michalek said in the news release. “Other parcels are included because they offer limited public recreation benefits. Several of the parcels are forested and have riverside or lake frontage and are better suited for private ownership.”

Sealed bids will be accepted through Jan. 8 and will be opened by state officials on Jan. 22. Michalek said the following day, all bidders will be mailed a letter regarding the status of their bid. He said the highest bid will be chosen and successful bidders will be issued an invoice, which they have 45 days to make payment on. They will also be issued a preperation of state deed form and an acceptance letter.

Auction information is available online at michigan.gov/landforsale, including minimum bid prices, property descriptions and conditions of sale. Instructions for submitting a bid and printable forms are also available on that webpage.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.

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