— from Pete Moe —
The Board of Directors of Orcas Recycling Services/The Exchange (ORS) announced today that after nearly three months of due diligence they have concluded it is not feasible to acquire the 35 acre “Carlson Property” as a new home for The Exchange re-use center.
“Of course we are disappointed, but not terribly surprised,” said Executive Director Pete Moe. “While we still believe it would have made a great home for The Exchange, the obstacles to getting it done were simply too numerous.”
One of the primary reasons ORS liked the Carlson parcel was that it had an existing building and installed utilities—infrastructure that would have allowed for a quick re-opening of The Exchange, which burned to the ground two years ago this month.
“We’ve said all along that this could only work if all of the blocks fell into place without delays,” explained Tim Blanchard, ORS Board president. “We concluded that securing the permits necessary to pursue our vision for the property would ultimately be a long-shot as a practical matter, and would require considerable investment of financial and human resources just to take that shot.”
So what’s the future of the Exchange now? According to ORS, it’s back to plan A—rebuilding, at least temporarily, on the original site. According to Moe, plans were never abandoned for re-building the Exchange at the County-owned Transfer Station. In fact, ORS is contractually obligated to re-design and re-build the roads at the transfer station. This project has been underway for months, and is currently in the final engineering stages.
“When we finish the road construction, we will be left with a level building site, with utilities installed, that will be the home of the new Exchange.” ORS says the road construction will begin this spring.
The Board of ORS/The Exchange wishes to thank the many individuals who commented on the Carlson property proposals (both pro and con), and those who have contributed time and money to help rebuild The Exchange.
A community meeting is planned for early spring, news and progress reports are available at www.exchangeorcas.org. The Board asks for the community’s continuing patience as they move expeditiously to re-establish this beloved institution.
Good update, Pete. Thanks for being the leader of the Exchange, regardless of its form. And thank you for keeping us truly up on where Orcas is regarding the Exchange’s return. If our household’s really great, reusable stuff awaiting the Exchange is representative, I am afraid of what will happen on opening day …. days …. weeks. You will be swamped with wonderful treasures. Thanks you
Pete when you need power I will provide the labor for free. Licensed, bonded and permitted.
Harvey what a great offer. While I am not (yet) and Orcas resident. I have been following this and am amazed at how this community works together and can disagree in a mature and civilized manner. Kudos to all.
To the Board of ORS:
I think that your decision to “recycle” the original Exchange property was the wisest one possible.
Keeping the Exchange conveniently at the dump is the best solution for everyone.
Kudos to you all.
Pete…thanks for the update, and thanks to the ORS Board, first for their outside-the-box thinking about the Carlson property, and second for their willingness to reverse direction when the initially-apparent advantages proved to be illusory.
Please! Please! Please! Let’s find a way to put the New Exchange on the old Landfill. What would that take??