OPAL has just over $17,000 in donations with a goal of $205,000 and less than a month until the Kickstarter campaign is over.
The Kick-starter campaign that would move the Edith Macefield “Up” house to Orcas Island is having a slow start getting off the ground.
Last month it was announced that OPAL (“Of People And Land”) Community Land Trust --a land trust non-profit based on Orcas Island -- was the recipient of the house. Since then they have started a campaign to raise money for the move from Seattle to Orcas Island. The estimated cost of the move is $205, 000 and as of August 29, they have raised just over $17,000.
“It is a make it or break it deal. We have to reach the full goal, and likewise that is the cost we have to cover to make it work. The only other option would be some magic donor out there,” said Lisa Byers, Executive Director of OPAL. “We have been reaching out individually to people to make more substantial donations.”
Byers said she attributes the slow donation rate to summer plans and distractions and that it’s tough for Ballardites to support the house being moved after Edith Macefield held her ground for so long.
“It’s an interesting phenomenon. We knew it would be hard to do this in August with everyone’s schedule being different. … The other thing I’m pondering is that for the people in Ballard it has to feel bitter sweet to imagine the house wouldn’t be there anymore and that it’s not a good idea to send the house away when they have been trying to keep it there. I empathize with that but what I’m told is that it’s either this or demolish it.”
In 2006, Edith Macefield refused to sell her 1,550-square-foot house to developers after they offered her $1 million. Macefield had lived in the home since 1952. Developers of the Ballard Blocks built the commercial complex around Macefield’s property while she lived there. Macefield died on June 15, 2008 of pancreatic cancer. She was 86. Her home has become an iconic symbol for "steadfast" opposition to development.
Edith Macefield. Photo courtesy of OPAL.
Last month the owners and broker, Paul Thomas, announced that that the house would be donated to an organization that would preserve the home, or it would be demolished. OPAL was one of five proposals Thomas received.
“The sellers and I agreed that we would give preference to a non-profit. We received five proposals and the one we chose was head and shoulders above the rest,” said Thomas.
OPAL has plans to relocate the house and renovate it to provide low-income housing. OPAL plans to move the house by barge at the end of October. The plan is to go through the locks and up to Orcas Island where they have a property ready. There they would do renovations to the home. Byers said the renovations would probably be finished by next summer and then become a low-income home for purchase.
“Certainly this house has such a unique quality and story behind it, and we thought it was a unique opportunity to provide another affordable home. It captivated us,” said Byers.
According to Rural Family Economic Success Action Network (RuFES.org), five percent of Orcas Island working families own homes through OPAL Community Land Trust.
Byers said that she was skeptical about preserving the home when she first saw it but after inspecting the interior she knew it would be a good candidate for restoration.
“It’s important to keep buildings standing to tell the stories of the past. Hopefully her (Edith Macefield’s) story can still keep going forward and certainly we would do our best to honor that.”
Byers spent an early part of her career working in historical restoration at a history museum in New England.
Byers said that she was skeptical about preserving the home when she first saw it but after inspecting the interior she knew it would be a good candidate for restoration.
“We enjoy recycling buildings and keeping their stories alive while being able to provide housing for people.”
According to Byers, OPAL has done a structure move and restoration ten times, and five by barge. They feel confident the Macefield move would be successful, but they are just waiting on their Kickstarter to reach its goal.
Structure being moved to a OPAL property on Orcas Island.Photo courtesy of OPAL.
“A happy next chapter for the house is better than a sad one, and this is a way to do good in the world and preserve a house and a story and provide someone with a home.”
Donate to the OPAL campaign at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/409208180/float-edith-macefields-u…
To learn more about OPAL visit https://www.opalclt.org
