Since the General Services Administration did not receive any interested
applicants under the National Lighthouse Preservation Act, Wolf Trap,
Newport News, Thimble Shoal and Smith Point Lighthouses will now go to the
highest bidders under GSA’s property disposal program.
The following
information is from the General Services Administration, Office of Property
Disposal web site…
The National
Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 (NHLPA), 16 U.S.C. 470,
authorizes the disposal of historic lighthouses through a competitive
merit-based application process, in addition to establishing a national
lighthouse preservation program. The program is administered through the
combined efforts of the General Services Administration, Department of
Interior's National Park Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The role of GSA
is the outreach to eligible entities and the marketing of these historic
properties, as well as the conveyance of the property from federal
ownership.
NHLPA recognizes the
cultural, recreational, and educational value associated with these historic
resources by allowing lighthouse properties to be transferred at no cost to
eligible entities for park, recreational, cultural, historic, and
educational uses.
Private parties are
not eligible for no-cost transfers. However, if no acceptable steward is
found pursuant to this process, GSA may sell these properties through a
competitive sealed bid or auction.
To view the status of bidding on these lighthouses…
Newport News, VA
Smith Point, VA
Thimble Shoal, VA
Wolf Trap, VA
To learn more about bidding process for these lighthouses…
GSA's Lighthouse Bid Package