Dear Star of Hope Board of Directors,

We write as concerned members of the Vinalhaven community regarding the public listing of The Lodge, one of our town’s most prominent and historically significant buildings.

We respectfully ask the Star of Hope to hold off on the sale of the building for a finite period of time while a group of dedicated community members work together to try to find a viable path to purchase, preserve, and restore the property in a way that will benefit our community, including as a space for a community center.

We understand that the Foundation has a responsibility to make decisions regarding this property. At the same time, we believe this building represents an opportunity that deserves careful consideration before it is sold and potentially placed beyond the community's ability to preserve and utilize it.

The history of The Lodge is important not only for its historical significance, but because of the purpose for which it was originally intended. Robert Indiana envisioned the property as something that would benefit the community, particularly the artisans and youth. We believe his vision should be considered as the building’s future is determined.

Rather than allowing this important piece of our town's history to become another privately owned property, likely remaining empty and unused for the majority of the year, we believe there could be an opportunity to give the building a renewed purpose that encompasses the vision of Mr. Indiana’s original intent.

A community center would provide a lasting resource for the residents of Vinalhaven. The space could serve as a gathering place for community members young and old, offering opportunities for events, education, meetings, activities, celebrations, and more. We are not asking the Foundation to assume this responsibility. We are simply asking for the gift of time to see if the community can make this happen.

There are many questions that need to be answered before this project could move forward. We need to better understand the building's condition, determine the cost of necessary repairs and renovations, investigate grants and other funding opportunities, identify potential community partners, and develop a sustainable plan for ownership, operation, and maintenance of The Lodge. These questions would take time to research and answer, which we may not have if the property remains publicly listed.

We are not asking for an indefinite commitment, merely for a reasonable window of time in which interested residents, organizations, and community leaders can come together to determine whether a realistic plan can be developed. To give us this opportunity, we respectfully ask the Star of Hope Foundation to delay the sale of 46 Main St by removing the listing for sale for a period of 90 days. At a minimum, we ask that any purchase and sale agreement to a third party include an express provision providing the “Concerned Members of Vinalhaven for the Lodge” with a 90-day right-of-first refusal on any offer made on the property.  

Taking this limited period of time to explore a solution is worth the effort, not only because of the building’s historical significance within the community, but also because of the impact it could have on current and future generations of Vinalhaven residents. If the building is sold privately before allowing us time to explore this solution, this important opportunity may be lost permanently to the community.

The signatures accompanying this letter represent the Concerned Members of Vinalhaven for the Lodge who believe The Lodge is worth preserving and who support exploring its future as a community center. We recognize that turning this vision into reality will require significant effort, funding, planning, and cooperation and we have gathered a group of community members who are ready to begin that work. We ask that the door remain open long enough for us to try. 

Before taking any further action on the future sale of the property, we would very much appreciate the opportunity to sit down with Board Members to discuss our request and share our ideas about transforming the Lodge into a building that benefits all the residents of the island.

In the meantime, thank you for taking the time to consider our request and for considering the voices of the residents who care deeply about the future of The Lodge and Vinalhaven.

Respectfully,

Concerned Members of Vinalhaven for the Lodge