Experts and other observers converged on the Alki Homestead Inn Friday, Dec. 4, for an inspection to evaluate both the fire damage, and aging condition, of the historic landmark structure’s interior and exterior. An electrical fire struck the 1906 structure Jan. 16.

The Landmarks Preservation Board, an entity of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, is the only entity with jurisdiction over the property and is very close to determining its future, whether the log structure should be repaired, or, if the damage is too extensive, torn down. Members of the Board, including volunteers of its Architectural Revue Board Sub-committee, wanted a closer look at the Inn after studying its structural engineering and contractor reports, and over 200 photographs.

Stella Chow, director, Department of Neighborhoods, was on hand simply to observe, she said. Beth Chave, coordinator, Landmarks Preservation Board, attended with colleague, Elaine Wine, the former chairman of the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board. They joined about a dozen other interested parties at the site for the tour, guided by Mark Fritch, a log home designer and carpenter who drove up from Sandy, Oregon.

Fritch was originally hired by Homestead Inn owner Tom Lin after the fire to consult and possibly repair the building. Since the fire Fritch has been a regular “visitor” to the Inn and made several inspections, extensively photographing the damage. It is now his view that over 80 percent of the structure is beyond repair and believes it should be rebuilt “in the spirit” of the original structure.

“Mark has both a professional, and personal, interest to see this project done properly,” said Lin, who quietly attended the tour without offering his opinion of the structure’s future. He is referring to Stritch’s family connection with the property. His great-grandfather was on the crew that built the log house, and said that while he was sentimental about the logs his great-grandfather stacked, it was not designed to withstand both a hundred years of wear and a major fire.

“The fire started right here,” said Fritch to the group as he pointed toward the ceiling near the rear staircase. “It went up the stairwell. The farther away you get from the fire, the char diminishes, but the above wood is really burned. To repair the ceiling, every bit of roof structure and (upstairs) flooring has to come off. You’d need five times as many logs on hand as you’d use because the damaged logs are different diameters and have settled, some more than others.

“What is it you’re trying to get it back to?” he asked the group, “the original building, the original building leaving some decay? It is easier to remove a fire-damaged log and replace it than to deal with the char.”

After Fritch spoke, the group fanned out, scrutinizing the charred logs precariously anchored to the two fireplaces. They checked out the kitchen, the ceiling, the upstairs, front porch, and exterior intersections.

The Architectural Revue Sub-Committee will make its recommendation to the Landmarks Preservation Board, possibly in January. The Preservation Board will then determine to either permit the Alki Homestead Inn to be demolished and rebuilt, or to require it to be repaired.

“This tour gives the Board a chance to see the building and evaluate it for themselves,” said Lin. “Others are entitled to comment and to offer their opinion of the building, but these people (on the Board) are professionals and, I think, have a more valid opinion as they are experienced to truly evaluate the situation. What they say has credibility.”