How Saving The Pink House Benefits FWS mission - in today's Daily News

Support The Pink House (STPH) shares the goal stated in Fish and Wildlife’s (FWS) mission to work with others to conserve habitats. Contrary to what the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (which oversees the property) has stated, trading the Pink House and its acre for many acres of conservation land is far more in line with their mission than demolishing the house and keeping its residential acre.

FWS paid $375,000 for the Pink House and 9.3 acres in 2011. Today, the house and its acre of upland alone are worth $425,000. With marshland averaging $1000/ acre, FWS stands to acquire up to 400-plus acres of ecological habitat to conserve in trade.

Just 2.5 years ago, FWS realty chiefs invited STPH to partner with them on a swap precisely because it was “so beneficial to FWS’s mission.” FWS set the terms: they promised to find the land, stating, it’s what they do each day. In turn, they required us to pay for and execute a work-intensive series of steps to ready the house/acre. FWS approved or co-signed throughout. Our part took 18 months, our total donations and then some, and approximately 60 local professionals pitching in.

As the closing approached, we were so excited. After seven years of doing everything asked of us and prior solutions falling apart, this was different. This was succeeding. Imagine how it felt when, at the 11th hour, we learned FWS lost their land… and told us that the terms of our swap had to change.

FWS did resume vetting a handful of parcels, but soon after, began the plan to remove the Pink House – without informing us.

FWS told the public that all options had been exhausted, but it’s just not so. Without expertise, we found several parcels within a few months, some adjacent to refuges, some from land trusts, others with access to Route 1A, all desirable criteria to FWS. Every single one was rejected.

More land is out there.

Most refuge managers in the country have a wish list of lands to acquire. What are the odds that not one (or several) have a $4-500K parcel? We asked FWS to send one query to all, and offered to do the follow up, one of several reasonable requests we made that can still be done.

STPH’s board even met with the Friends of the Refuge who confirmed they can take donations for Pink House needs. FWS never tried. Last week, a $5,000 donation was offered (the estimate for yearly house upkeep) if FWS would resume work on solutions. FWS declined.

Our restoration partner remains committed to buying any land FWS wants to trade, and fulfilling his personal pledge to own the Pink House and safely restore it on his own dime. This can still be done in time to celebrate the Pink House’s 100th birthday, ensuring this beloved cultural landmark, economic driver, tourist draw and artistic muse would continue to welcome and inspire generations to come.

If auctioned, the Pink House will be taken from its iconic location, likely without our preservation restriction to maintain its signature characteristics in perpetuity.

If unsuccessful, FWS plans to demolish The Pink House at a cost of $50-90,000. Once it is removed, the lot’s’ $425,000 value will plummet in two years, due to becoming unbuildable. Add their budget for a parking lot, benches, fencing, and permanent monitoring and you have substantial taxpayer dollars lost.

Despite FWS’s report that 78% of the respondents to their 30-day comment period wanted to keep the Pink House where it is, and calls and letters continue, their decision remains unchanged. The people who donated to the steps do not want their funds wasted.

Removing the house is not in the best interest of FWS’ mission or the community. Where are the watchdogs?

The GSA confirmed that the auction can be canceled. If FWS does not do the right thing, The Pink House will soon be gone forever, and with it, a large portion of supporters and the opportunity to conserve far more beneficial land. With options still out there, that is quite a deal FWS decided to give up, at quite a price.

The question is why?

Everything is still in place for this to be a win for all. We call on FWS to honor their commitment. Because Support The Pink House has — not due to contractual terms, but because we gave our word.

Written by the Board of Support The Pink House: Rochelle Joseph, Alison Odle, Jeff Ackley, Kelly Page and Sandy Tilton.  

This can be read on online HERE.