GUILFORD – A philanthropist has offered to pay the town of Guilford $80,000 for the purchase of the town-owned J. K. Edes Building on Water Street so the local historical society can restore it.

During a press conference held Tuesday on the steps of the circa-1850s building, Robert Shaffer, historical society president, announced that the philanthropist, who wants to remain anonymous, has offered to purchase the building and the land on which it sits, as well as the adjacent Braeburn lot. The building and lots then would be deeded to the historical society.

In addition, the benefactor also has offered to give the historical society $20,000 to immediately stabilize the building, Shaffer explained.

“We are hopeful selectmen will accept this offer,” Shaffer said.

Not swayed by the offer, Guilford Town Manager Tom Goulette said Tuesday that he expects selectmen will solicit requests for proposals for the property when they meet next week. The board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1.

The fact that the unnamed attorney for the anonymous donor made the offer through the historical society and not the town showed a lack of professionalism, Goulette said. He said the town received only a copy of a copy and not an original document. He also said it was considered bad policy to deal with an anonymous person.

“Our original goal was to turn the vacant corner into something viable and provide jobs, generate some downtown traffic and give an injection to the economy,” Goulette said. That same goal still exists, he noted.

Goulette said all proposals will be judged on what is proposed for the location, how the project can be done from start to finish and how much the town will receive for the property.

Local residents gave selectmen the authority to determine the building’s disposition during a well-attended special town meeting last week. At that same meeting, residents voted 127-47 against making a gift of the building to the society for restoration.

That move came even after residents were told that philanthropist Roxanne Quimby of Winter Harbor, co-founder of Burt’s Bees, which once operated in the Edes building, offered to give $50,000 for the restoration of the building if the same amount could be raised locally.

It is believed that Quimby is behind the latest offer as well, although historical society members would not reveal the person’s identity Tuesday.

Quimby could not be reached by telephone Tuesday nor did she respond to an e-mail.

Shaffer and Sieferd “Stubby” Schultz, historical society secretary, said the society’s plan is to restore the front of the building and roof first and then renovate the building floor by floor. The first floor would be rented by the foot to small entrepreneurs, and the walls would be covered with old photographs of the town, Shaffer said. Interest has been expressed locally in opening a fabric shop, an ice cream parlor and a wine and cheese store, he said.

The Water Street building recently was listed as one of seven most endangered historic properties in the state by Maine Preservation, a private, nonprofit organization, which should not be confused with the state Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

“It is our understanding that the Town is considering demolishing the building and preparing the 2 lots for new construction at a cost in excess of $20,000,” the attorney’s letter read. “My client’s offer represents a net gain of more than $100,000 to the Town of Guilford.”

Bill Hume, one of the leaders of the effort to restore the building who delivered the offer to town officials, expressed his gratitude to the donor or donors.

“This is an historic opportunity for our town to have something truly unique to offer all those people from away who pass through Guilford and don’t give us a second look,” Hume remarked Tuesday.

He also noted the efforts being made around the state to restore such historic buildings as the Bangor Waterworks property, the Pontiac Building in Lewiston, the Eastern Fine Paper mill in Brewer and the Observer Flat Iron Building in Dover-Foxcroft.

“With the right mix of old and new, we can take advantage of the growing interest in cultural heritage and the economic gains that follow,” Hume said.