Update - Wednesday, August 16, 2006

On the bad news side, I learned today that the state isn't actively pursuing any alternatives that would save all of our property.  They are looking at whether to take all of it or to take part of it (in their lingo, a "partial take" or a "total take").  I was also told that some key decision makers are not currently available, and that a decision is due in the first week of September (that is, a decision to take part of it or all of it).  We have mixed feelings about a "partial take".  If it saved the house, garage, and milkhouse, leaving us an acre or so of land, we might be willing to go along with it, but it was mentioned that even if they only took part of the property now, they might want the rest of it in 2018, when the next phase of the project takes place.  We certainly don't want to be again facing this situation in 12 years.  Our interest in keeping the Farm property is a "forever" one, not a short term thing.

On the good news side, we also confirmed that an Environmental Impact Assessment has not yet been done on the part of the project that would require Bedside Manor.  That process is a public one, so there is the possibility that inputs from the public could influence a final decision.  They are supposed to consider "historical and cultural" factors, but it is hard to say how much of that is political posturing, and how much is really serious.

I'm going to send some historical information to the people who are supposed to make the decision, but it impossible to know how much of an impact that might have.  On the positive side, I was told today by the state representative that they "probably" would not proceed with an actual condemnation until the Environmental Assessment process was complete and approved.  Since that completion and approval is not scheduled to happen until the end of 2007, that indicates to me that we can probably count on staying here through all of 2007, at a minimum.  That is reassuring to us in that it would give us time to find a suitable lot and build a replacement house, perhaps a clone of Bedside Manor, with some minor but significant improvements (like a bathroom downstairs, a slightly wider porch, wheelchair accessibility, etc).  We would try to maintain the "look and feel" of the Farm, but the location and landscaping is so much a part of it, that it is hard to say how satisfying such an endeavor might be.

Our best chance to completely save the Farm is based on its historical and cultural value.  Today I had a visit from a gentleman from the King County Preservation group.  He was gathering data to assess whether the Farm would meet the requirements to be a county Historical Site.  We got onto him through Christina's involvement with the Kirkland Heritage Society.  He took pictures, and I gave him information about the property and about Grandpappy.  He though it was probably a stretch to be included on the Historical Register, but he will present the information to the appropriate people at the county level.  The key would be to tie the property into some kind of sociological trend, like the movement to the suburbs or Pappy's connection to the medical community in Seattle.

Thanks again for all the support we are getting from people who are familiar with Bedside Manor.  It is an emotional time for us all, and we are trying to deal with it as best we can.

 

If you have questions, please contact us at bedside15@aol.com

 

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