After years of being boarded up, the Alki Homestead may yet see new life. The historic landmark, which suffered a fire in January of 2009 has been the subject of speculation, and concern ever since. Owner Tom Lin made efforts to move forward with a restoration plan, had numerous architectural renderings done and was part of the meetings with Seattle's Landmark Preservation Board.

Despite those efforts Lin said he learned that finding financial support for any plan was essentially impossible with banks unwilling and other avenues even less likely.

So, in June of 2013 the building and land were put up for sale. Several people came forward with plans but Lin said he wanted to be sure that the buyer was one with plans to actually restore the beloved building which is located at 2717 61st Ave. S.W.

The Homestead, also called the Fir Lodge, was built in 1903 and was declared an historic landmark for the City of Seattle in 1997.

Seattle developer Dennis Schilling contacted Lin and has a new plan for the eventual restoration but it hinges on finding both community and official support. "I think Dennis is the best person to bring the Homestead back," Lin said, "He's got the experience, he's the most transparent, and I know his intent."

Schilling who restored the Shoremont Apartments at 57th SW and Alki Ave. SW in 2011 told the West Seattle Herald that he wants to do a test restoration of the southeast corner of the 111 year old structure. Schilling explained that "I just feel like doing a test of that corner is a good way to look at the feasibility of completing the restoration."

He's got an architectural firm doing some drawings, and has spent $5000 under an agreement with Lin to proceed if some key requirements are met. "I need to talk with both the Southwest Historical Society and the City of Seattle, including the Landmark Preservation Board to get their support, " Schilling said.

But Lin's previous attempts to work with the board encountered vexing questions. They wanted to know the entire restoration plan, with some suggesting that only a log for log, stone for stone restoration plan was a true restoration. Engineering analyses of the deteriorating building show that it would be an expensive and labor intensive project. "I don't think I want to proceed if the only way to restore it is to do it that way," Schilling said.

The cost of restoration had previously been estimated at $2.6 million.

If he gets cooperation and the test goes well Schilling said he would tear down the southern side of the building, not designated as historic, expand the rear patio area, lower the front porch area, and was considering making the upstairs (also not historic) into a bed and breakfast. But these are all tentative plans subject to change. "I've got the rest of December to figure out if I want to go forward or not," he said. "I'd like to get it back to as much the way it was before."

"Basically any kind of a restoration project is an experiment anyway. If plan A doesn't work you go to plan B," Schiling explained.

He believes that the fire damage is not as serious as others have said. "I think I can repair some of this stuff without having to take the whole building apart."

Economically, he said the most reasonable path might be to construct an apartment building on the western half of the existing parking lot, preserving the lot below (not voiding an existing agreement with the Log House Museum) to provide enough monthly cash flow.

Lin's previous plans called for a new building to be constructed behind the historic area that would serve as a kitchen, provide ADA bathrooms, and house an elevator for upstairs access.

Schilling said he thinks the kitchen can be made far smaller and thus increase the seating capacity inside, and that ADA bathrooms and access are not a big issue.

He and his crew from his company Schilling Management and Development would do the work.

Schilling said he plans to speak to the Historical Society soon and will attempt to get his plan in front of the Landmark Preservation Board in an upcoming meeting.