When the auction period ended for the Washington State Department of Transportation’s 520 pontoon casting property in Aberdeen at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday no bids had been placed. The property is now listed for sale on the agency’s website with a $9.7 million price tag.

Suanne Pelley, communications manager for the SR 520 office of the Department of Transportation, said the price, which was also the minimum bid during the auction, was based on a recent appraisal of the property.

At the Aberdeen City Council meeting last week, the Port of Grays Harbor gave its annual year in review presentation and Port Director Gary Nelson was asked about the Port’s interest in the property, which is adjacent to the west end of their property. He said the Port was interested in the property, but the price tag was “too high for our interest.”

At the same meeting, Aberdeen Mayor Erik Larson said the city would be very interested in working with the Port to obtain the property and put it to good economic use.

“I think there’s the opportunity for the city to work with the Port for a happy ending for the 520 pontoon property,” said Larson.