Photo: Kendall Buhl/WBZ NewsRadio
NEWBURY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio)— Governor Maura Healey has stepped in to halt demolition plans on the historic “Pink House” on Plum Island in Newbury.
The governor made the announcement Wednesday, saying plans to meet and talk with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and other stakeholders to develop a solution.
“The Pink House is a beloved local landmark that makes valuable contributions to the North Shore economy by attracting tourists and artists from across the country,” Healey said in a statement.
The two story, 1,500 sqft house surrounded by marsh was built in 1925. It has been vacant for decades and deteriorated due to a lack of upkeep. Back in July, Matthew Hillman from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge told WBZ NewsRadio the home has mold growing under the paint and there is standing water in the basement, which has caused significant damage.
Over the last eight years, FWS has been looking for alternative solutions to help preserve the building, but the “dilapidated structure” poses a safety hazard and the decision to demolish it came in the “best interest of our conservation mission," according to a spokesperson.
Read more: Newbury's "Pink House" Up For Auction
FWS bought the land the home sits on in 2011, and the property has since been classified as conservation land. Due to that move, the agency cannot sell the home, but it can trade it for land of equal or greater value in a land exchange, something local non-profit Support the Pink House has been urging the agency to accept.
An anonymous donor last week offered up to $1 million to save the house from demolition and preserve it on its current site. However, FWS ultimately rejected the offer, with a spokesperson telling WBZ NewsRadio “[the agency does] not believe it affects the current course of action.”
Red more: Anonymous Donor Pledges Up To $1 Million To Stop Pink House Demolition
Local leaders lauded Healey’s decision Wednesday to save the Pink House. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said she is “hopeful that by bringing everyone together at the same table, we can move forward on solutions to save The Pink House and benefit our environment and our economy for the long-term.”
Rochelle Joseph, president of Support the Pink House, told WBZ NewsRadio they are “grateful” for the support from Healey, Driscoll, State Senator Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), and others for their efforts to stop the demolition.
FWS confirmed to WBZ NewsRadio they plan to participate in the conversation with the state on the issue in the coming days.
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