Major land auctions in Queen Creek, Goodyear postponed again

Auctions have been postponed once again on two parcels of state land in Queen Creek and Goodyear that the South Korean electronics company Samsung may be considering as an operations site.

In Queen Creek, the approximately 915 acres is on the northwest corner of Ironwood Drive and Germann Road. The auction, which was set for Thursday, Sept. 16, has been pushed back to Wednesday, Oct. 20. The auction originally was set for April, but a lack of bidders has forced the postponements.

The opening bid is $86.1 million. The October auction will take place at 2 p.m. at the 1891 Historic Courthouse ceremonial courtroom at 135 N. Pinal St. in Florence.

The Queen Creek land parcel is one of two in the Valley that Samsung is looking at. The electronics company also is looking at a 1,000-acre site in Goodyear. The opening bid for that parcel is $127.7 million.

That auction was adjourned until Wednesday, Oct. 20. It will take place at 9 a.m. at the Arizona State Land Department, 1616 W. Adams St., Lower-Level Auditorium, in Phoenix.

Although Samsung is looking at two Valley locations, the company also is assessing other sites around the country and is said to be leaning toward Austin, Texas.

In fact, Reuters is reporting Wednesday that sources say Samsung is close to finalizing the construction of a $17 billion semiconductor factory in Williamson County, a suburb of Austin.

Samsung did not confirm the information to Reuters.