GUILFORD – A local economic development board has recommended that the Braeburn Block, which includes the historic but dilapidated J.K. Edes building, be sold to a California couple for development.

Another proposal for the property was submitted by the Guilford Historical Society, but the board rejected it because of funding concerns. A committee member noted at the recent board meeting that the society’s proposal to restore the J.K. Edes building was essentially the same one rejected by residents at a former town meeting.

The board will make its recommendation to selectmen at their Tuesday, Dec. 5, meeting.

In the proposal, Guilford native Jeanine Samuel and her husband, David, of San Rafael, Calif., have offered to pay the town $25,000 for the property, demolish the J.K. Edes building, and work cooperatively with local businesses in the development of the property. The couple also said they would donate a significant portion of the profits from the development to SAD 4, Jeanine Samuel’s alma mater.

“We can assure you that we have not only the financial strength to take on such an important project; we also have the best intentions,” the Samuels wrote in their proposal.

David Samuel started Brondell, a high-tech toilet seat company, and in the past he has started and sold two other successful businesses, including an online video site called Grouper which recently was purchased by Sony Pictures Entertainment for $65 million.

“It addressed all the points we asked for in our request for proposals,” board Chairwoman Joni Slamm said of the proposal.

Guilford Town Manager Tom Goulette also supports the proposal. “One of the exciting things about the proposal was that it was left open for business community input in order to avoid duplication,” he said Tuesday.

The historical society’s proposal included the $80,000 purchase of the building and land by Roxanne Quimby, co-founder and former CEO of Burt’s Bees, on behalf of the historical organization. Quimby, whose business once occupied the Edes building, also pledged another $20,000 for the immediate repair and restoration of the building’s interior.

The historical society has made it no secret that it wants to restore the Edes building to its original grandeur and operate small businesses from within.

Robert Shaffer, society president, was upset with the outcome. “The board did not ask for any financial statement from the other parties, or require any plan, goals or deadlines; all were required in the request for proposals,” Shaffer said recently.

“This structure could be on the National Historic Register, it has a replacement value of $1.4 million, over $100,000 has already been pledged for restoration, and Guilford could benefit enormously from the tie-in with Heritage Tourism here along the Moosehead Trail,” Shaffer said Wednesday.

“Why anyone would want to destroy a perfectly viable historic centerpiece for the village and replace it with modernist architectural schlock is beyond me,” Shaffer remarked. “Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft and Greenville have figured out that development that doesn’t fit the look and history of the town is a dead end – I think most people in Guilford know that too,” Shaffer said.