BOSTON — The day after Gov. Maura Healey touted her office’s role in stopping the demolition of a beloved historic landmark on the North Shore, the federal agency that owns the property said it was still making plans depending on the outcome of negotiations. Proceed with removing the structure, citing safety and environmental concerns.

The drama unfolds at the so-called Pink House on Plum Island, a historic landmark built in 1925 that has been a favorite subject of artists for a century as it sits above a dangerous salt marsh.

The house has been abandoned for years, according to refuge manager Matt Hillman, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife purchased the structure and 11 acres of adjacent salt marsh in 2011 to protect the area from development. Salt marshes are a globally rare ecosystem that is increasingly vulnerable to sea level rise, frequent and damaging storms, and provide critical habitat for rare animal species.

Hillman said the agency wants to protect the Pink House. Local folklore surrounds the landmark and how it was built. Many of the stories suggest that the house’s uninhabitable location was the result of a vindictive divorce: The woman demanded an exact replica of her former home, but could not specify where; Legend has it that her ex-husband built it in a swamp on the outskirts of the city where the brackish water in the pipes had rendered it unusable.

“There are people in this community who value this, we have been working very closely with them for eight years to find a solution… This is not a rushed decision. But it’s a safety concern, it’s an environmental concern, and sea levels are rising. If we want to do what is best for our wildlife and our habitat, the best thing we can do is remove the structure,” Hillman said.

The agency has been trying to find a solution other than demotion since 2016; When the house fell into such disrepair, it became unsafe to be near the property. It was scheduled to drop this week.

The rear roof collapsed last week.

But at the last minute, the governor threw a Hail Mary.

Healey announced Wednesday that he would halt demolition of the Pink House while his office meets with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “to determine the best path forward for the Pink House, the community, and the environment.”

In the press release made by the governor’s office, it was stated that some elected officials celebrated the decision to stop the demolition and talked about the importance of this milestone for the tourism economy and culture of the region.

“Thanks to the relentless efforts of supporters from across the region and beyond, we have the opportunity to achieve a win-win victory that expands the resources of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge AND protects the Pink House. We must work together to ensure the opportunity is not lost,” said Minority Leader Bruce Tarr of Gloucester.

But for U.S. Fish and Wildlife, there isn’t much time to think. Hillman said they received a request from Healey’s office Tuesday night to halt the demolition, which was planned for this week. He said they did this out of respect for the governor and his office.

However, we are very concerned about the condition of this property. “We don’t know how long we can last,” he said. “We’re almost into November, storm season has arrived and storms are getting worse and more frequent. It can’t take too long… We’ll see what they have to offer, find out what their concerns are, and listen to them. Then we will take it from there.”

The federal agency awarded a contract to a company in September to remove asbestos from homes; this led to the removal of most of the roof, siding and all windows.

“What we are left with is the shell of a building. It’s dangerous for me and my team to be anywhere near here,” Hillman said.

A statement from the federal agency sent to the News Service following Healey’s announcement said they would begin discussions with the governor “within the next few days.”

It continues: “The dilapidated structure poses a safety hazard. Continued maintenance of an abandoned structure in an increasingly active flood zone is inconsistent with the refuge’s mission to protect wildlife and habitats. “Therefore, the decision to remove the structure is in the best interest of our preservation mission.”

Neither of the two solutions the agency has tried over the past eight years to save the home have worked. Hillman said they tried to find a partner who could swap habitat lands for the Pink House property, but the federal government has tight restrictions on what they can do with a land swap, and they ultimately couldn’t find a property that met those conditions. Monetary value and legal criteria of an exchange.

Last summer, the agency listed the site for bidding for someone to relocate the home. He said they did not receive any offers.

“There was a sentimentality or desire to commemorate the house,” Hills said.

An anonymous donor last week pledged up to $1 million to save the structure; community advocates called it a “game changer” at the time.

But the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s response was that this would not change serious safety, environmental and flooding concerns.

“While we appreciate the recent generous offer of money to help preserve the Pink House, we do not believe it will impact the current course of action,” the agency said in a statement Thursday.

Asked to respond to U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s comments about the progress of the destruction and whether the governor has the authority to stop it, a Healey spokesman referred the News Service to the governor’s statement the day before.

“The Pink House is a beloved local landmark that makes a valuable contribution to the North Shore economy by attracting tourists and artists from across the country,” the statement said. “I am grateful to Senator Bruce Tarr, Representative Kristen Kassner, Support The Pink House, and the community for their strong leadership and advocacy to save this historic building. “We look forward to continuing our discussions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine the best path forward for the Pink House, the community, and the environment.”

Hillman said that when the Pink House is removed, the salt marsh will be restored to its natural habitat. He said that in its natural state it would be much more resistant to floods and storms and would provide a safer habitat for the species living there.

He also said the agency plans to open a small portion of the salt marsh to the public. It’s completely off limits right now.

“We will be able to open a secure site, a park-like environment where people can enjoy this unique natural environment,” he said.