NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 9, 2017
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Darren Jablonsky, Deputy Planning and Community Development Director
218-725-5011 (for questions on tax forfeit land sale)
Jason Meyer, Deputy Land and Minerals Director
218-726-2606 (for questions about Lakeshore Lease Program)
Tax forfeited land auction results: 19 properties sold for $595,218
With more than 180 people registered to bid at today's St. Louis County Tax Forfeited Land Sale, it was standing room only when the auction began. When it was done, a total of 19 properties sold for a total of $595,218.
The auction featured nearly 100 different tax forfeited properties from across the county. Those parcels not purchased at the auction are now available for sale on a first come first served based through the St. Louis County Land and Minerals Department.
"To have 19 properties going back to private ownership, that's a good sale," said Mark Weber, Director of Land and Minerals. "It's a win for the people who purchased the properties, it's a win for communities where new owners are investing in these properties, and it's a win for the tax payers of St. Louis County because these parcels are now back on the property tax rolls."
Among the properties purchased, are two former Lakeshore Lease lots. A shoreland parcel on Fish Lake in Fredenberg Township sold for $155,000, while a parcel on Wolf Lake in Morse Township sold for $73,000. Meanwhile, numerous people showed interest in two homes in Duluth. A house on East 8th Street, originally assessed at $22,900. sold for $63,000; and a home on Olney Street assessed at $22,200 sold for $52,000. Additionally, a home in Hibbing sold for $23,400.
The auction was the largest in recent decades, in terms of number of parcels being offered for sale, and included residential, commercial, recreational and waterfront properties. Some of the parcels had blighted buildings removed as part of the County's efforts, in partnership with cities and townships, to spur economic development.
The County will offer additional tax forfeited land auctions on June 8 at the Public Safety Building in Duluth, and on October 12 at the Miners Memorial Building in Virginia.
There are nearly 900,000 acres of tax forfeited land within St. Louis County, which the county's Land and Minerals Department is responsible for managing. Most of the land is maintained for forest management, however the County has been trying to sell smaller parcels located within cities and townships as a way to encourage development and increase the property tax base.
For more information about tax forfeited land sales, subscribe to receive email notifications about updates and future sales or view a list of properties that can be purchased at any time, visit stlouiscountymn.gov/landsales, or call the Land and Minerals Department at (218) 726-2606.
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 More than 180 people registered to bid on properties during the St. Louis County Tax Forfeited Land Sale Auction. Nineteen properties sold for a total of nearly $600,000.
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