NORTH SHORE — The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (F&WS) is planning to demolish the iconic Pink House just before its 100th birthday.
The remediation process on the house at 60 Plum Island Turnpike to remove asbestos and mold began last week.
Matthew Hillman, manager of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, confirmed that the contractor is mobilizing and that demolition is on schedule for this winter.
“FWS’ decision to proceed with demolition of The Pink House is a devastating loss for the region’s businesses, artists and tourism,” wrote the non-profit Supporters of the Pink House (STPH). “We stand by the widespread opinion that demolishing or removing the house from the site is shortsighted and unnecessary.
“STPH has been working round the clock to stop the demolition. Most recent was our meeting with Sen. (Ed) Markey’s office asking them to urge F&WS senior decision makers to approve an efficient national search for a swap parcel, and hold F&WS accountable for their part of the exchange agreement their own Realty Chiefs initiated.”
The STPH claims the federal agency failed to explore all options before commencing the demolition process.
The agency estimates it will cost $156,000 to remediate the site, far more than the $24,000 projected in last year’s Environmental Assessment it published.
“I am so utterly disgusted with Matt Hillman & FWS right now,” wrote STPH board member Sandy Tilton.
F&WS acquired the 99-year-old house in 2011 for $375,000. The federal government wants to get rid of the house to save money on upkeep after it abandoned plans to house federal employees there temporarily. Housing employees would have required major renovations.
Last July, the agency tried to auction the house, but there were no bidders. The auction was closed after one month.
As the Pink House sits on federal land, it would have to be traded to a new owner, unless Congress intervenes.
The auction was specifically for the building itself, and a successful bidder would need to relocate it from the property by December 31. One estimate suggests that this relocation could cost as much as $150,000.
STPH board member Allison Odle asserted that the auction was conducted in bad faith and acted as a “smoke screen” by F&WS to mislead the public.
Odle wrote that the group did not bid on the house since “the community we represent expressed a desire to see The Pink House restored in its original location.”
A thorough assessment of the true costs and logistics of moving it was conducted by STPH, which found none of the locations feasible, she said.
