SIDNEY, Neb. — Two properties tied to Nebraska’s outdoor retail history are hitting the auction block next month.

The former Cabela’s office buildings in Sidney and North Platte will be auctioned online Feb. 10-12.

The Sidney property, which served as Cabela’s world headquarters for decades, has a starting bid of $750,000. The North Platte office, a smaller facility, begins bidding at $225,000. Both properties are listed on the real estate platform Ten-X and offer opportunities for new development or reuse.

The auction marks a potential new chapter for Sidney, according to Sidney City Manager David Scott.

“The possibility of a new chapter for Sidney by the auction of the two former Cabela’s corporate office buildings is exciting,” Scott said. “We are cautiously optimistic about this opportunity.”

On its website, Ten-X described the Sidney property as "a rare vacant corporate HQ opportunity" backing up to Interstate 80, a "crucial commercial thoroughfare that connects Midwest population centers." The property includes two Class A office buildings on a 34.33-acre campus that also features warehouse and data center space. The total offering size is 457,445 square feet.

The two corporate buildings, long offered by Bass Pro Shops for a $1 per-year lease, stand next to the original Cabela's retail store.

Scott said the city is encouraging residents to continue sharing ideas about how the buildings could be used.

“Sidney has the most civic-minded and creative people anywhere,” Scott said. “While it is true that we have no control over who purchases the buildings, we can certainly put word out to possible investors that would have our interests in mind, so keep the ideas coming.”

One concern, Scott noted, is the potential impact on property tax revenue. However, he explained certain factors may mitigate this issue.

“The buildings are being sold as a pair, and building two has a current TIF (Tax Incentive Financing) bond on it that is held by Cabela’s/Bass Pro,” he said. “This means Cabela’s took out a TIF bond or a loan that is in turn paid off by the property taxes paid on the building. So, when the county collects the taxes for that building most of it goes back to Cabela’s to make the bond/loan payments. There is very little property tax from that building that currently goes to the local taxing entities."

Scott added the advantages of this are the county assessor’s determination can’t be challenged on that building. Also, the building can’t be sold to a non-profit entity. 

In North Platte, the 12,032-square-foot office building on 4.5 acres presents its own unique potential. Ten-X describes it as being in a "prime location just off Interstate 80 with near-immediate access to the dense urban core of Downtown North Platte."

Both properties are being marketed as versatile spaces suitable for a variety of uses.

“We join you in your optimistic concern over this transaction,” Scott said. “Please continue to post your ideas for the two buildings and feel free to reach out to my office with any questions.”

Cabela’s, founded in 1961, called Sidney home for 54 years, employing about 2,000 people in the town of roughly 6,600 residents. Cabela's was acquired by Bass Pro Shops for $5 billion in 2017, consolidating its operations in Springfield, Missouri.

News Channel Nebraska reached out to Bass Pro Shops for comment on the auction but did not receive a response.