How Much Is Ford Reiche Worth

Ford Reiche (middle), possessor of Halfway Stone Lighthouse, was a recipient of a 2017 ALF "Keeper of the Lite" honor.
(L to R) ALF Executive Director Bob Trapani, Jr., ALF President Jeremy D'Entremont, Ford Reiche, ALF Treasurer Alan Ells and ALF 2nd VP Brad Coupe.
(Photo by Dominic Trapani)

The American Lighthouse Foundation'southward "Keeper of the Lite" award is designed to honor those individuals and organizations in the national lighthouse community who have contributed in a meaning style to the preservation of America's lighthouses and their rich heritage.

On May 7, 2017, ALF presented Ford Reiche – owner of Maine's Halfway Rock Lighthouse, with a "Keeper of the Light" award during the organization'southward annual Gala, which was held at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Halfway Stone Lighthouse is located near ten miles offshore from Portland, Maine.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)

The wave-swept Halfway Rock Lighthouse, located 10 miles offshore of Portland in Maine's Casco Bay, is no ordinary restoration project, but thankfully, its "keeper" – Ford Reiche, is no ordinary preservationist. Ford's amazing passion, tenacity, savvy and "can do" spirit is a perfect friction match for restoring a lighthouse that many felt could non exist saved.

The chore of preserving Halfway Rock Lighthouse was considered so daunting that in 2004, Maine Preservation listed the sentinel on its "Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties." The lighthouse, which was automated in 1975, received virtually no upkeep over the next four decades, and by 2013, the Federal Regime placed Halfway Stone into the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Deed program.

Ford Reiche stepped upwards to salvage Halfway Rock Lite when no one else would.
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)

6 nonprofits submitted letters of involvement, but ultimately, each of the nonprofits declined to seek ownership of Halfway Rock Lighthouse. In 2014 the Federal Government deemed the historic site as surplus property and tasked the General Services Administration with excessing the light station at public auction.

At the time of the Authorities auction, the facility condition was every bit follows:

All original windows and doors in the two story boathouse had been cleaved out past storms, and haphazardly covered with plywood;

Birds were living in the buildings;

The 120' gunkhole ramp was over 50% destroyed;

Rust and corrosion to the belfry's steel components was in an advanced land of deterioration.

Over 50% of the boat ramp was destroyed when Ford Reiche assumed buying of the site. The gunkhole ramp has since been rebuilt.
(Photo past Bob Trapani, Jr.)

The Presumpscot Foundation (TPF) was not enlightened of the opportunity to obtain Halfway Rock at no charge, and thus was required to participate in the subsequent public auction. Behest started among six parties, but presently was narrowed down to TPF and only two others: an possessor of a Florida mega yacht who stated publicly that he just wanted to be able to tell his golf game buddies that he owned a lighthouse in Maine, and a billionaire with wild plans to convert Halfway Stone to a meditation retreat later he convinced Congress to shut down the loud horn fog signal. Thus, our resolve to obtain ownership became rock-solid – like the historic site itself.

The wooden keeper'due south home, which is attached to the tower, was in bad shape and would have been lost without Ford Reiche's efforts to restore the structure.
(Photograph past Bob Trapani, Jr.)

Thankfully, The Presumpscot Foundation was the highest bidder for Halfway Rock Lighthouse and was awarded ownership. Following a lengthy deed fiasco with the Land of Maine, restoration work was permitted to go forward and included the following:

The restoration has included the following work:

Trash removal and demo of 1960's era "improvements," which seemed to go on forever;

Restoration of 150' dock ramp, half of which had been destroyed in the Perfect Storm, plus addition of 2 boat moorings;

The living quarters in the keeper'southward dwelling house have been restored to their period of historical significance.
(Photo courtesy of Ford Reiche)

Outside of the ii story boathouse and living quarters completely renovated and painted, with replacement of all windows, doors, near of siding and wood trim along distinct locations to the 1950's era, which is Halfway Stone'southward approved Period of Historical Significance for restoration;

Interior of unabridged ii story wood structure entirely restored to original use/spec:  start story boat house/utility space, 2nd story living infinite and kitchen;

The restored kitchen in the keeper's abode includes a domestic water organization to the galley sink.
(Photo courtesy of Ford Reiche)

Modernistic systems (with minimal moving parts to limit long term maintenance requirements) accept been installed:  composting toilet in location of original head in boathouse, replacement of electric wiring in living quarters, domestic water system to galley sink;

The side by side stone belfry has seven levels, each with a separate entry door and room…all connected by spiral stairs working their mode up.  The commencement ii levels have surface prep and painting completely, the balance of the interior is beingness completed soon.

All of the aforementioned work items went through the Department 106 Consultation Review Process with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and adhere to the Secretary of the Interior's "Standards for Preservation."

Earlier and subsequently restoration views of the keeper'south dwelling house attached to Halfway Stone Lighthouse.
(Photos courtesy of Ford Reiche)

The remaining restoration items that comprise the light station's scope of work volition be completed in 2017. This includes pointing and waterproofing the 76-foot granite tower, blanket the exterior, installing nine custom windows in the lighthouse and installing a webcam that volition broadcast 24/vii.

Co-ordinate to Ford Reiche, "The demo and construction process was demanding. Everything on an island is e'er more than difficult, but and then much more on Halfway Rock.  The get-go year of restoration was conducted without a boat dock or ramp, and we destroyed three small-scale boats and lost two outboard motors in that procedure. All new structure materials and workers were shuttled out by boat; sometimes we would get in with materials, crew and groceries for a 4 day work session, only to exist turned back home considering of unmanageable sea conditions at the stone."

The future of Halfway Rock Light Station is as solid equally the granite tower itself thanks to the amazing efforts of its modern "keeper" – Ford Reiche!
(Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)

Reiche went to say, "One could say that this projection is a skilful example of a claiming in historic preservation.  HWR clearly has historic significance as a structure and as an iconic piece of Maine / U.s.a. maritime history, yet nobody wanted it. It has no economic value in repurposing for anything. It has no income potential in any form, and is therefore not a candidate to benefit from the Historic Preservation Tax Credit.  It was long neglected, and threatened with decay beyond repair. It is big and difficult and needy – simply extremely important. And what a smash!"

For preservation excellence at an offshore lighthouse and for demonstrating the blazon of indomitable spirit required to save such a challenging project, the American Lighthouse Foundation is proud to present Ford Reiche with a 2017 "Keeper of the Light" award. Congratulations!

Source: http://lighthousefoundation.org/2017/05/keeper-of-the-light-ford-reiche/

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