SIDNEY, Neb. — A local investment group with deep ties to the Sidney area purchased the former Cabela’s world headquarters campus in an off-auction deal valued at $1.5 million.

59 Properties, LLC announced Monday it closed the purchase of the two-building corporate office complex, totaling more than 457,000 square feet on a 34-acre campus in Sidney. The deal, which includes warehouse and data center space, was made in cooperation with Bass Pro Shops, which acquired Cabela’s in 2017.

The purchase came after the property was listed on real estate platform Ten-X and entered into a February auction. Though the winning bid reached $1.25 million, Bass Pro declined the offer, citing concerns about whether the bid would benefit the local community. Instead, the company selected 59 Properties due to the group’s long-standing commitment to Sidney and track record of successful local reinvestment.

“They deeply care about this community,” a spokesperson for 59 Properties said. “Vacant buildings are no good for anyone. They're eager to fill the space — whether that’s through renting or selling — and we’ll work with the local E3 group and the city to get it done.”

59 Properties noted it is funding the project entirely through private investment, without grants or tax-exempt funding. The existing TIF bonds on the property will be paid off by Dec. 15, 2029.

To date, the group has redeveloped three other former Cabela’s/Bass Pro properties in the area: The 610 Glover Road property (20,000 square feet) is now home to five tenants after being vacant; the former distribution center in Brownson (755,000 square feet across eight buildings) is fully occupied; and the 630 Illinois Street property (70,000 square feet), once largely vacant, now houses Allo, Dollar General and soon O’Reilly Auto Parts, with at least one more tenant expected.

The Sidney campus will remain in its current form until a new purpose is identified, and 59 Properties says it is working with local contractors to maintain the property.

“This group has invested a lot into Sidney and wants to see the area continue to flourish,” the spokesperson said.

City officials previously expressed cautious optimism about the auction process, hoping to see the iconic property find a future aligned with community needs. Now, with local ownership in place, those hopes may become reality.