Anderson Farmstead

The Waanderson-farmshington Trust for Historic Preservation has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) seeking organizations or individuals interested in relocating the historic Anderson House from is present site within the City of Issaquah’s Confluence Park to a new location. The full RFP may be obtained through the Trust’s website.

The City of Issaquah is undertaking a stream restoration project on the Anderson Farmstead in order to reduce channelization and confinement of Issaquah Creek. The project will impact the historic Anderson House, constructed circa 1900 and determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Because the City determined that rehabilitation of the Anderson House on the existing site is not feasible due to costs and conflict with the stream restoration project, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation (WTHP) is issuing an RFP to relocate the house on behalf of the City and in partnership with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), the King County Historic Preservation Program (KCHPP), and the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO). Proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2015.

The following stipulations apply:

  • The Anderson House shall be removed from City property, with or without the rear (west) porch and detached bedroom. The City will not provide property for relocation of the house.
  • The WTHP, KCHPP, and the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) will have final determination of approval of the relocation plan based on accepted historic preservation standards outlined for the rehabilitation of the house.
  • The House shall be offered for relocation and rehabilitation to a non-profit organization or to other private organizations and citizens in that order of priority.
  • $250,000 (less administrative costs not to exceed $25,000) is available to assist with relocation and rehabilitation costs.
  • If the above process does not identify a recipient committed to relocating and rehabilitating the Anderson House by October 1, 2015 or if the house is not removed from the Farmstead by December 31, 2015, the City has the authority to demolish the house.

A mandatory site visit to review the existing conditions of the Anderson Farmhouse and to ask additional questions is scheduled for Thursday, July 30 at 3:00PM. Interested parties seeking additional information should contact Chris Moore with the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation at 206-624-9449 or via email at cmoore@preservewa.org.

Founded in 1976, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, an independent, non-profit organization, is dedicated to saving the places that matter in Washington State and promoting sustainable and economically viable communities through historic preservation. The Trust helps make local preservation work and builds an ethic that preserves Washington’s historic places through advocacy, education, collaboration and stewardship. Visit the Trust website at www.preservewa.org for more information.

Photos of Anderson House courtesy of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation