The first step was raising the funds to purchase the paint factory. We’ve done that, and Ocean Alliance now owns it.
The second step is to stabilize them and clean up the site. This requires a work plan, partnerships and permits plus the funds to carry out a plan.
Although we are still determining what needs to be done, those with more experience than we have say that we must be prepared to spend at least $300 per square foot to restore the factory using ‘green’ building standards (i.e. to restore them to LEED Certification)
www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=222
The total area of buildings and outbuildings is 20,000 square feet. At $300 per square foot, this part of the work will cost $6 million.
But that doesn’t include the cost of landscaping furniture, fixtures and equipment. And… we also need to set aside contingency funds for any unexpected problems (including pollutants) we may encounter beyond those we’re already aware of.
If we add such contingencies to landscaping, furniture, fixtures and equipment we must be prepared to spend an extra $1 Million.
So the final cost estimate for the project is:
Construction:………………………… … $6 million
Contingencies: Landscaping,
Furniture, and Equipment:…… $1 Million
Total:…………………………………….. $7 Million
In order to manage the job smoothly, we need a significant percentage of the funds on hand before we start construction. Our advisors say that that means we should have at least $3 million in hand before we begin.
How You Can Help
Currently, the site is too polluted for us to be able to use volunteers to help clean it up, so right now we are asking everyone to do one of three things:
1) Make a tax-exempt donation (even small amounts help)
2) Think of anyone you know who might be interested in helping to save an iconic bit of American History, and let them know about this project (you might start by sending them the address to this website).
3) Or do you know anyone who might know potential donors or foundations, and who would be willing to introduce such people to this project.
We are hoping that you will give this some deep thought and that you will ask us any questions or give us any advice—as to how we might do this better. (Please ask your friends to let you know what they do and whether they have any advice for us as well.)
Once we have raised $3 million we will start looking for in-kind donations, and for volunteers to do hands-on work at the paint factory itself.
In the meantime our first priority is to raise $3 Million in the next twelve months – so that before the next hurricane season starts in early summer of 2009, construction work can begin.
Even with the help of our current partners, it will take Ocean Alliance between 6 and 9 months to get a full idea of what it’s going to take to restore this site to its past glory, and at least a year to get all of the permits in hand.
It is only with everyone’s help that we can get this priceless landmark back. That means that your help is essential. Please join with us to get this work done; together we can achieve this goal.
THANK YOU
Contact:
Iain Kerr, CEO, Ocean Alliance
191 Weston Road,
Lincoln, MA 01773
Tel: 781-259-0423
Cell: 978-760-1784
kerr@whale.org
OCEAN ALLIANCE
www.oceanalliance.org
www.pbs.org/odyssey · www.icb.org.ar
