MoDOT to auction vacant maintenance facility

The Missouri Department of Transportation has scheduled an auction tomorrow to sell a vacant maintenance facility in southwest Springfield.

The 4.14-acre property at 4101 W. Sunshine St. includes three buildings, the first of which was built in 1968, according to Steve Shelton, right of way manager for MoDOT's southwest district. He noted a second building was added in 1988. The property also includes sheds and a salt dome.

"All the money that's being generated is being put back into roadway maintenance, repairs and overlays," he said.

Shelton said the facility, which had been used as a station for roadway maintenance and repairs, closed about two years ago as MoDOT faced a budget shortfall and instituted a plan to downsize personnel, equipment and facilities statewide. MoDOT auctioned off surplus equipment and tools at the Sunshine Street facility in September 2012.

The operation was consolidated into the primary southwest district facility at 3025 E. Kearney St., Shelton said.

Shelton said MoDOT has set a reserve on the auction based on an appraisal of the maintenance facility, but declined to disclose either.

The auction is scheduled 2 p.m. tomorrow at the site.