NEWBURY — A “for sale” sign will soon stand in front of the Pink House on Route 1. The federal government wants to get the iconic home off its property by the end of the year.
“The moment the sign goes up, this will become more real to folks,” said Matt Hillman, director of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. “A lot more eyes will be on it. Whether it’s folks who live on the island or are coming here to visit.”
The U S. Fish and Wildlife Service bought the nearly 100-year-old Plum Island Turnpike home for $375,000 in 2011.
The vacant house sits on a 9.2-acre parcel in the wildlife refuge. It has become a popular subject for many artists and photographers over the years.
A local nonprofit organization, Support The Pink House, has been working with the federal government since 2015 to reach a potential land swap agreement – or individual occupancy option – to save the building.
But in March, refugee officials announced that time had run out for any potential land swaps and the house would be listed for auction.
Hillman said Thursday the U.S. General Services Administration is determining how best to remove the Pink House.
He added that he expects to see a “for sale” sale go up in front of the home when the building – but not the land – goes up for sale via the GSA’s online platform in July.
“The public has known the house will go up for auction for over three months at this point,” Hillman said. “So, that part should not come as a surprise.”
Hillman said the sign will include contact information and the auction website.
He also said the GSA should be prepared to receive a lot of inquiries.
“I think that’s a good thing,” he said. “The more people have eyes on that ‘for sale’ sign and visit the website to see what is being offered, the better chance we all have to either save or salvage the house.”
The auction process should last 30 to 60 days, he said.
The winning bidder will then be required to remove the structure by Dec. 31.
“We’re about as ready as we can be for this,” he said. “I just want the community to understand this is the best path forward to saving this house. As we know, it’s not in a viable location. So if, you’re looking to save this property, this is the way to do it. I just hope people’s efforts go toward salvage or relocation.”
Support the Pink House President Rochelle Joseph said she and fellow volunteers have been working hard to make sure the auction does not take place.
“If Fish and Wildlife or our federally elected officials wanted to stop this, they absolutely still could,” she said. “There are several viable options, not all of them complicated, that are still on the table. Everything is ready to go for this to work.”
Joseph said there is land in Newbury and Rowley available that abuts a wildlife refuge with access to Route 1A.
“That meets Fish and Wildlife’s criteria,” she said. “In addition, they know there is a nearly perfect 27-acre piece (of land) that’s a stone’s throw from an existing Cape Cod refuge. It is in the $500,000 price range. It could be traded with a land trust, which is Fish and Wildlife’s ideal scenario.”
Support the Pink House will hold a rally Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. in Market Square in Newburyport.
A press release from the nonprofit organization said it will give people a chance to show they are opposed to the auction.
Newbury Select Board Chair Alicia Greco is also not a fan of the proposed auction.
Greco said she would like to see the house and its property returned to her town’s tax roles.
“The property was privately owned and on the tax roles before Fish and Wildlife bought it,” she said. “Housing stock is extremely limited in the town of Newbury. I’d like to have another family move back and enjoy all this wonderful region has to offer.”
Hillman asked potential auction bidders to familiarize themselves with the GSA’s website.
“They should just look at the process,” he said. “There’s other auctions ongoing as we speak, and people can see what it takes to register, for example. They can do that now, instead of waiting for when the Pink House becomes listed.”
To visit the GSA website, go to: https://realestatesales.gov/gsaauctions/gsaauctions/.
Staff writer Jim Sullivan covers Newburyport for The Daily News. He can be reached via email at jsullivan@newburyportnews.com or by phone at 978-961-3145. Follow him on Twitter @ndnsully.