ROCKINGHAM — Bidding closed on the former Richmond County administration building Friday afternoon, with the top number being more than twice the opening bid.
According to Marc Baysek of Iron Horse Auction Company, the high bid came in at $107,500.
Baysek was unable to divulge the name of the bidder at the time, however, he did say the individual was local.
“We had a good mix of participation from local bidders and out-of-town bidders,” he said.
It is now up to the Richmond County Board of Commissioners to decide whether to accept or decline.
The second round of bidding opened Dec. 6 at $49,000 — which was more than the highest bid in the first round.
County Manager Bryan Land told commissioners at the December meeting that there was a lot of interest, but only two individuals submitted bids, “which were extremely low” and recommended that those bids be rejected.
Marc Baysek, of Iron Horse, called the county’s decision to have another round of bidding “a smart move.”
Baysek said last week that he received several calls the day after the Nov. 25 sealed-bid auction from “interested parties” who had not bid.
The initial high bidder was from the eastern part of the state, according to Baysek, but the post-bid “flurry” of interest was mostly from local real estate investors.
The building, which previously served as a federal courthouse and post office, is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is “a vital part of Richmond County’s past,” according to a press release issued when the second round of bidding opened.
It has a total of 32 offices on three levels and 12 bathrooms, including on in the basement. It also features two conference rooms, two walk-in vaults and other areas, according to the listing.
The two iron light fixtures on the front of the building will be removed by the seller. There is a note that if the building is demolished, the Richmond County Historical Society requests the capstone from the roof.
