George Washington Carmack House Declared Landmark
The Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board has approved the Squire Park Community Council’s nomination of the George Washington Carmack House as an historic landmark. The owner of the house, the Jewdoschenko Estate, strongly opposed the nomination because of the feared impact on the value of the property which is within the Swedish Medical Center Major Institution Overlay (MIO). Undoubtedly the property is worth more to Sabey or Swedish for future development than the value of the house. Despite that opposition, the Landmarks Board voted 9 -2 in favor of Landmark status. The personal appearance and written comments of many Squire Park neighbors as well as representatives of preservation organizations and the Klondike Gold Rush National Park were noted by several of the Landmarks Board Members as they announced their vote. The future of the building probably depends on whether or not it can be moved to a suitable nearby site. The owners have expressed a willingness to consider that. If the Carmack House cannot be moved, then it’s likely that the owners will argue that they not be required to save the building because of the severe impact on the sale-value of the property. The last chapter in the saving of the house has not been written.