WESTBROOK – In an effort to get some surplus city property back on the tax rolls, Westbrook is soliciting bids for two small downtown house lots.

According to Bill Baker, Westbrook’s assistant city administrator for business and community relations, the city is looking for bids for two adjacent, .19-acre lots located between Haskell and Rochester streets. Baker said that the city would be accepting sealed bids for the lots, with a minimum bid of $35,000, at City Hall by Nov. 19 at 3:30 p.m.

Baker said the city acquired the lots about 11 years ago when the area was being developed for the nearby Public Safety Building. He said the land now being sold was part of the old railroad right of way, and when that was abandoned by the railroad, the city acquired the land and subdivided it into two house lots.

The city is looking to divest itself of the land in an effort to begin collecting property taxes on it.

“The sale of these lots will put the land back on the tax rolls,” Baker said. “And we also hope that it will benefit individuals or families looking to make Westbrook their home.”

As of Tuesday, the city had not received any proposals for the two lots, but Baker said that isn’t very unusual.

“I expect to get proposals at or before the deadline,” Baker said.

Baker said that the two lots are in a prime area for housing.

“They’re just in a great location,” he said. “They’re right downtown and close to Main Street. It’s unusual to find buildable lots in the greater Main Street area.”

Detailed description of the two lots and copies of the requests for proposals are available at Westbrook City Hall or on the city’s website at www.westbrookmaine.com. Completed bids must be in writing and sent in a sealed envelope marked either “Rochester Street property bid sale” or “Haskell Street property bid sale,” depending on which lot is included in the bid. Bids can be mailed or hand-delivered to: City of Westbrook, William Baker, assistant city administrator, 2 York St., Westbrook, Maine, 04092.