Minnesota Statutes Transportation (Ch. 160-174A) § 161.23. Excess acquisition

Subdivision 1. Acquisition of entire tract. On determining that it is necessary to acquire any interest in a part of a tract or parcel of real estate for trunk highway purposes, the commissioner of transportation may acquire in fee, with the written consent of the owner or owners thereof, by purchase, gift, or condemnation the whole or such additional parts of such tract or parcel as the commissioner deems to be in the best interests of the state. Any owner or owners consenting to such excess acquisition may withdraw the consent at any time prior to the award of commissioners in the case of condemnation proceedings, or at any time prior to payment in the case of purchase. In the event of withdrawal the commissioner shall dismiss from the condemnation proceedings the portion of the tract in excess of what is needed for highway purposes.

Subd. 2a. Services of licensed real estate broker. If the lands remain unsold after being offered for sale to the highest bidder, the commissioner may retain the services of a licensed real estate broker to find a buyer. The sale price may be negotiated by the broker, but must not be less than 80 percent of the appraised market value as determined by the commissioner. The broker's fee must be established by prior agreement between the commissioner and the broker, and must not exceed ten percent of the sale price for sales of $10,000 or more. The broker's fee must be paid to the broker from the proceeds of the sale.

Subd. 3. Leasing; proceeds allocated. The commissioner may lease for the term between the acquisition and sale thereof and for a fair rental rate and upon such terms and conditions as the commissioner deems proper, any excess real estate acquired under this section, and any real estate acquired in fee for trunk highway purposes and not presently needed for those purposes. All rents received from the leases must be paid into the state treasury. Seventy percent of the rents must be credited to the trunk highway fund. The remaining 30 percent must be paid to the county treasurer where the real estate is located, and distributed in the same manner as real estate taxes. This subdivision does not apply to real estate leased for the purpose of providing commercial and public service advertising pursuant to agreements as provided in sections 160.272 to 160.276 or to fees collected under section 174.70, subdivision 2.

Subd. 4. Limitation on construction of section. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prevent the commissioner from acquiring lands, real estate, or interests in lands or real estate necessary for trunk highway purposes, without the consent of the owner or owners thereof.

Subd. 5. Receipts paid into trunk highway fund.Money received from the sale of such lands and properties less any fee paid under subdivision 2a must be paid into the trunk highway fund.