1 MacArthur Ave, Billings, MT — Commercial Real Estate Sealed Bid & Live Auction | April 15, 2026
Live Auction To Be Held At: National Auction USA. 3625 S 56th St West. Billings, MT 59101
SECTION 1 — PROPERTY OVERVIEW
3,420 square foot commercial building on a 0.51-acre corner lot in one of Billings' highest-traffic corridors. Adjacent road counts exceed 30,000 vehicles per day on King Avenue West and Interstate 90, with 26,000+ on Montana Avenue. Direct access from both directions — a rare advantage in this corridor where most businesses are only accessible when traveling east.
A turnkey retail storefront ready for your next business venture. The open floor plan and high-visibility corner lot make this an ideal location for retail, service, or office use with minimal conversion needed.
Multi-purpose retail property featuring concrete block construction, central air conditioning, hot air heating, 12-foot ceilings, ample paved parking on three sides of the building, and an existing CCTV security camera system and alarm system included with the property.
Recent Capital Improvements:
- New roof (2021)
- HVAC system (2019/2020)
- $40,000+ in total permitted improvements
Zoned Community Commercial (CC) — a wide range of retail, service, and office uses permitted. Located in an established commercial corridor near the I-90 interchange with easy access to both Billings' west end retail district and downtown Montana Avenue.
A Proven Operating History — Business Ran Here for 20+ Years Alongside DEQ Monitoring
The most recent owner, Rodney Vetter, purchased this property with the DEQ release already in place and operated Express Pawn at this location for over 20 years. Throughout that entire period, DEQ monitoring of the site's wells continued in the background — and business went on as normal. Customers came through the door every day. The retail operation ran without interruption.
That track record matters. It demonstrates that the open DEQ release status has not been — and need not be — a barrier to active commercial use of this property. A new owner can operate a business here just as Rod did, while the PTRCB program covers eligible corrective action costs in the background.
Address: 1 MacArthur Ave, Billings, MT 59101 Legal Description: Streeter Brothers Subdivision, S08, T01S, R26E, Block 2, Lots 1–3
This property is being offered via Sealed Bid and Live Auction by National Auction USA on behalf of Sellers Rodney A. Vetter and Bonnie J. Vetter.
SECTION 2 — PARTICIPATION FORMAT
This auction is conducted via a two-stage Sealed Bid and Live Auction format. Online bidding is not available. Participation requires submission of a sealed bid prior to the deadline.
Sealed Bid Deadline: Monday, April 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM MT Live Auction: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM MT Live Auction Location: National Auction USA, 3625 S 56th St W, Billings, MT 59101
How to Participate:
- Minimum sealed bid: $135,000. Bids must be submitted in $5,000 increments.
- Sealed bids may be submitted by email or Adobe DocuSign, hand-delivery, or mail (received by deadline — postmark does not count).
- Submission of a sealed bid is required to participate in the Live Auction. No exceptions.
- Phone bidding during the Live Auction must be arranged by 10:00 AM on April 15, 2026.
- The complete Sealed Bid Package may be downloaded here: Click Here To Submit a Sealed Bid
- To request the package directly, contact National Auction USA at (406) 671-4503 or [email protected].
The highest sealed bid received opens the Live Auction floor. Bidder names are held confidential; bidder numbers are assigned.
SECTION 3 — ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMARY & PTRCB COVERAGE
The property carries an open DEQ petroleum release (Release ID 523), originating from a 1990 tank overfill during prior operation as a fuel retail site. All 10 underground storage tanks have been permanently removed and closed, confirmed by the Montana DEQ Underground Storage Tank Section as of March 2026. No new claim activity has occurred in over 12 years (last claim: August 2013).
Montana's Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board (PTRCB) has issued a formal written confirmation dated March 19, 2026, establishing the following:
- Total corrective action costs reimbursed to date: $222,431.50
- Maximum total reimbursement cap: $982,500.00
- Remaining reimbursement capacity: approximately $759,568.50
- Future eligible corrective action costs: Reimbursable at 100% from dollar one, up to the remaining cap
- Co-payment requirement: Fully satisfied
- This coverage transfers to a new property owner upon purchase and assumption of liability via PTRCB Form 1-T
In plain terms: a qualified buyer assumes the environmental liability and, in doing so, gains access to approximately $759,568.50 in remaining state reimbursement capacity for future eligible corrective action costs — with no co-payment required. Reimbursement is subject to PTRCB eligibility requirements and applicable Montana law.
PTRCB Form 1-T will be executed and notarized on-site at the Live Auction on April 15, 2026, and will accompany the closing package to the title company.
All environmental information presented in this listing has been provided in good faith based on documentation received from the Montana DEQ and PTRCB as of March 2026. Reimbursement eligibility is governed by Montana law and PTRCB program requirements; prospective bidders are responsible for independently verifying all information and conducting their own due diligence prior to bidding. National Auction USA and the Sellers make no representations or warranties regarding environmental conditions beyond what is expressly stated in the auction terms.
SECTION 4 — AUCTION TERMS (SUMMARY)
- 10% Buyer's Premium applies
- All sales As-Is, Where-Is — No contingencies of any kind
- $10,000 nonrefundable deposit due immediately upon Seller confirmation at Live Auction (cash, personal check, business check, or certified check)
- 30-day closing from executed Auction Purchase Agreement
- Seller provides Warranty Deed or marketable title, and Owner's Title Insurance Policy
- Real estate taxes prorated to closing; each party pays their own closing costs
- Buyer expressly assumes all environmental conditions including DEQ Release #523
- Governing law: State of Montana, Yellowstone County
SECTION 5 — CONTACT & SEALED BID PACKAGE REQUEST
The complete Sealed Bid Package — including full auction terms, DEQ documentation, and PTRCB confirmation letter — may be downloaded here: click here
To request the package directly or arrange phone bidding, contact:
National Auction USA Cash Seal, President & Auctioneer (406) 671-4503[email protected]3625 S 56th St W, Billings, MT 59101www.nationalauctionusa.com