Libbey House could move near Town Hall

The town of Coupeville is getting an appraisal done for two lots located next to Town Hall in preparation for the possibility of the historic Libbey House moving there from its current location wedged between the liquor store and a strip mall on North Main Street.

Mayor Nancy Conard said she received a call from a person interested in buying the house with the hope of moving it next to Town Hall and using it for commercial purposes.

“This is very preliminary and exploratory,” Conard said during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. In an interview after the meeting, she said an application hasn’t even been filed and she declined to provide a name of the person who is interested.

The Libbey House sparked controversy earlier this the year when the building’s owner, builder Ted Clifton, applied for a demolition permit. Conard described the permit as in “limbo.”

Town Council members expressed some doubts about moving the Libbey House, assuming Clifton is willing to sell.

“I’d rather have it saved in its current location,” said Bob Clay.

Councilwoman Ann Dannhauer said she sees relocation as an option of last resort noting that a goal of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve is to maintain historic buildings in their original location.

Conard said relocating a historic building onto city property could be a suitable use for the land.

Clay said that it may be time to start a discussion about what is the best use of the property.

Contact Whidbey News Times Staff reporter Nathan Whalen at nwhalen@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5058.

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