A local woman's quest to save a house has been put on hold because available land is scarce in Seattle.

Margaret Todd wants to recycle the house previously owned by the 7th Elect Church of Israel, which sits on the land recently purchased by the city for the purpose of creating a new public park.

The city does plan on selling the house, but is expecting little or no profit from the sale because the cost to move a house is so expensive, said Donald Harris, property and acquisition services manager for Seattle Parks and Recreation.

"It is city property, but it's surplus," he said. "Anyone can just say how much they are willing to bid for it."

Todd has been searching with no luck for a plot of land nearby to move the house to.

"The house can only really be moved 10 blocks to a mile," she said. "After that the cost to have the house moved would not be worth it."

After speaking with Nickel Bros, a company with experience moving homes in the Seattle area, Todd was given an estimate of $45,000 just to move the house. Other additional costs would be needed to move and reinstall utility wires and pipes, create a new foundation and basement for the house, permits to build, and the purchasing of land.

"I began looking for lots through the Seattle Department of Planning and Development, then I started writing letters, and then I just started going door-to-door!" Todd said. "But I never even got as far as an offer to buy."

Fortunately, Todd still has some time to keep looking. The city of Seattle is planning to move a caretaker into the house until May of next year while plans for the park are being made, Harris said.

The city purchased the 37,000-square-foot property between Northwest 70th and 73rd on 9th Avenue Northwest in April for $3 million. Harris anticipates the park being completed in two years at the earliest because planning and design typically takes one year, and construction typically takes another year.

The two-story farmhouse was previously used as a place for members of the 7th Elect Church of Israel to live. The other building on the property was used as the house of worship by the church. It is not suitable for recycling due to its deteriorating condition.

Todd wants to save the house because it has been her dream to own a house in Seattle that is close to her family and her work but has been unable to do so on her teacher's salary. The environment is also a factor, she said.

"It matters to recycle this house," Todd said. "It's important that it's not just stuck in a landfill."

To contact Margaret Todd about available land please e-mail her at margarettodd2002@yahoo.com.

Camille Villanueva can be reached via bnteditor@robinsonnews.com.