Source: United States General Services Administration
May 31, 2023
BOSTON – Today, GSA has issued a Notice of Availability for the Nobska Lighthouse in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The historic lighthouse is available at no cost to eligible entities as part of a federal disposal program enabled by the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) 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 property that has been determined to exceed the needs of 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
Each year, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and the National Park Service (NPS), 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.
The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. The 40-foot tall, cylindrical, iron tower was cast in Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1876, and transported to Woods Hole in four sections. It was constructed on site and painted reddish-brown, but is now white. The lighthouse is capped with a standard cast iron lantern that houses a fourth order Fresnel lens.
In addition to the lighthouse, the four-acre property includes the original keeper’s quarters and a brick oil house, and paint lockers, all constructed in 1876. The second keeper’s quarters which is connected to the original was added in 1900. The garage was built in 1931 and the radio building beacon was built in 1937. The keeper’s quarters are Victorian wood frame buildings with gabled roofs.
The property is accessible from Nobska Road east of the harbor entrance. It is an active aid to navigation operated by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
Under the NHLPA, the property may be obtained for educational, park, recreational, cultural, or historic preservation purposes. For complete details on the property, including conditions, range of possible uses, commercial activities, utilities, etc. eligible entities can review the Notice of Availability.
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 (sixty) 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
Non-profit 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 the National Park Service (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.
The NPS will review all applications submitted and may recommend a steward to receive the property. If a recommendation is made, the General Services Administration (GSA) will complete the conveyance to the selected steward with a Quitclaim Deed. Pursuant to Section 305106 of the NHLPA, the property will be sold if it is not transferred to a public body or non-profit organization.
Letters of interest should be directed to:
U.S. General Services Administration
Real Property Utilization and Disposal Division
10 Causeway Street – 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02222
Attention: Sonia Allon-Singh (sonia.allon-singh@gsa.gov)
GSA’s New England Region Real Property Utilization and Disposal Division provides realty services to federal agencies throughout the region, as well as in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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About GSA:
GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the Federal Government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of Federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA