The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is auctioning numerous parcels of land in October—six in Cook County. Three parcels, like this diamond-shaped parcel at the intersection of South Shore Drive and Devil Track Road are new on the auction block.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be holding public auctions in October to sell a total of 38 parcels of land. Six parcels are in Cook County, with three parcels that have been up for bid before and three new parcels. The Cook County parcels will be auctioned on Thursday, October 21, 2010.
Two parcels to be auctioned are located on the Pine Mountain Road, about a quarter mile from the intersection with Devil Track Road in Grand Marais. The Pine Mountain Road runs between the two parcels, which will be sold as 22.13- and 21.89-acre lots. The DNR describes the parcels as “heavily wooded with mature birch, poplar and pine trees, generally level in topography, with an elevation change of 40 to 50 feet from the northeast corner to the southwest corner.” Each parcel is zoned FAR-1, Forest/ Agriculture Recreation District, and would give the opportunity for the construction of one or two cabins.
These two parcels have been up for bid before, but the minimum bid price was not received. The estimated market value on each piece, based on the Cook County Assessor’s Office evaluation of the entire DNR 46-acre parcel, is $2,300 per acre. The DNR auction minimum bid is $73,250.00 for the 22.13-acre lot and $70,150.00 for the 21.89- acre lot.
The third parcel has also been up for sale in the past. It is a 40-acre parcel approximately 10 miles northwest of Hovland on the Lost Lake Road. The DNR describes the property as “slightly sloped with Mons Creek running through the northern section of the parcel… this parcel is wooded with a variety of poplar and balsam trees.” Lost Lake Road cuts through the southern portion of this parcel. It is zoned Forest Agriculture Residential 1. According to the Cook County Assessors office, the estimated market value is $1,600 per acre. TheDNR minimum bid is set at $70,150.
The remaining three parcels are new to the DNR land auction. They are approximately four miles north of Grand Marais and less than one mile east of Devil Track Lake, at the intersection of Devil Track Road and South Shore Drive. The DNR notes that there are minimal elevation changes on all three of these wooded parcels and there is potential for residential development. The lots are zoned FAR-3, Forest/Agricultural Residential District.
The first is a diamondshaped piece of land between South Shore Drive and Devil Track Road. It is 13.19 acres. Thesecond parcel is a triangular piece of land east of South Shore Drive, on the other side of Devil Track Road. It is 15.73 acres. The final parcel is west of South Shore Drive and is 17.45 acres. The southern portion of that parcel contains wetlands.
All three parcels are subject to easements to the Cook County Highway Department and Cook County for a grantin aid snowmobile trail. The estimated market value of the parcels, based on the county assessor’s rate for the entire 1,600-acre parcel, is $2,300 per acre. The DNR auction minimum price for the 13.19-acre lot is $39,300.00; for the 15.73-acre lot the minimum is $46,300.00; and for the 17.45-acre parcel the minimum bid is $46,300.
The public land auction will be held on Thursday, Oct. 21, at the DNR Central Office (500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minn.). Registration begins at 9:45 a.m.
Bidders are advised to obtain property data sheets and to be familiar with the properties, prices, and terms of conditions before attending the auction. To obtain a property data sheet, call toll-free (888) MINNDNR or e-mail landsale@state.mn.us.
There are also a variety of parcels being offered in Aitkin, Hennepin, Lake, Martin, Nobles, Pipestone, St. Louis, and Washington counties. Additional information on other land sales and regarding the land sales and terms and conditions may be found at: www.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/landsale.
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