NEWBURY – If the old adage that ‘money talks’ is still true, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FW&S) may have a reason to reconsider its plans to demolish the Pink House.
An anonymous local Pink House supporter has pledged in what is called a “game changer,” to give $1 million to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if it drops plans to demolish the Pink House.
The Save The Pink House (STPH), a non-profit organization, working to preserve the Pink House, which has been standing on the banks of the Great Marsh for almost 100 years, announced: “A community savior has pledged up to one million dollars toward the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s mission if they will immediately stop the demolition of The Pink House and resume working toward a swift and effective solution to benefit both FWS’s mission and the preservation of The Pink House.”
STPH President Rochelle Joseph said, “This incredibly generous donation is a game changer. It opens up so many more options for FW&S to conserve hundreds of new acres anywhere in the nation and can be the win for all we have always worked so hard for.”
The million-dollar donor presented a written offer to several senior FW&S officials, including the agency’s real estate division.
According to STPH, the potential donor feels that it is unnecessary to demolish this iconic building, especially when FWS’ mission stands to benefit so greatly. All options have not been exhausted. Everyone would like to see new land conserved as well as keeping The Pink House in time to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2025, if FWS would allow it to happen.”
“Fish & Wildlife has been offered so much. Dozens of parcels of ecologically important land, willing donors of restoration services, a whole committee working on a plan with them for years, and now a Million Dollars!” wrote STPH board member Alison Odle. “It would be so incredibly foolish to lose this landmark.”
STPH board member Jeff Ackley wrote: “On behalf of the community, Support The Pink House calls on The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to end demolition plans and preserve the shell of The Pink House. This is the intention of the donor, the overwhelming desire of the community, the best use of taxpayers’ funds, and most closely aligns with USFWS’s mission ‘to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the benefit of the American people.’”
Ackley added, “News of the donation could also attract new landowners to come forward, perhaps allowing higher bids for properties already targeted by (Parker River) Refuge managers and regional Realty Chiefs.”
With the removal of mold, asbestos and lead by a Global Remediation Services crew at the Pink House nearly complete, STPH fears demolition could start as early as next week
“The good news is that remediation is the first step toward the restoration we had planned,” Joseph said.
A small portion of the donation could be used to shore up and maintain the house and cover any safety and security expenses while an efficient solution is found, she said.
