Public Presentation By Our Committee

2/19/18 - Mike Buffo tours Flanders Mansion with Melanie Billig for the first time

12/12/18 - Mike Buffo as Curator, applies for Residential Curatorship of the Flanders Mansion (1 of 8 applicants to the City’s RFP). The applicant requests more time to conduct a feasibility study and raise funds. Wesley Buffo is born on the same day!

10/26/22 - Premiere of Carmel Documentary Bohemian Soul at Forest Theatre reignites interest from the Buffo's and from Mayor Dave Potter, after Mike tells this story.

1/31/23 - Mike Buffo submits an update to his application for residential Curatorship of the Flanders Mansion at the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Annual Strategic Planning Meeting, with Michael Hogan, Thomas Hood, Melanie Billig, Dale Byrne, & Tony Tolner helping to argue he’s “the last man standing” from the RFP, requesting to conduct a feasibility study and capital campaign for pledges. The city chooses to make it a priority for the year.‌

2/28/23 - A petition is launched - with oversight by Melanie Billig‌

9/2/23 - Encore screening of Carmel Documentary Bohemian Soul, by the California Arts & Sciences Institute. Publishes keynote video Our Vision for Flanders Mansion Restoration

10/3/23: City General Meeting - Public Comment: Flanders Mansion Restoration Committee announces Master Plan in draft: An organization is forming to apply for Curatorship instead of any one person.

3/28/24: City Annual Strategic Planning Meeting - Flanders Restoration Committee presented their master plan for review. Carmeloutlands.org launches to host the master plan. Read the blog post about this meeting here.

6/4/24: City General Meeting - Public Comment: Flanders Restoration Committee declared eagerness to enter negotiations with the City in July or August, once the budget cycle is completed, as the City promised on March 28, 2024.

9/10/24: City General Meeting - Carmel Outlands was officially announced as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration and stewardship of Flanders Mansion. This marked a pivotal shift from individual efforts to a unified organizational mission. Read the blog post about this meeting here.

2/14/25: City General Meeting - Mike Buffo delivered his first public comment at the City General Meeting, formally requesting the City Council to prioritize Flanders Mansion. This passionate appeal set the stage for ongoing public advocacy and community engagement. Watch the 3min video here.

Flanders Mansion Restoration Committee Meeting Summaries

Over the course of a year, the Restoration Committee has worked to develop a comprehensive plan for the restoration and preservation of the Flanders Mansion. The Committee has held thirteen meetings, each contributing significantly to the progress. The Committee has established a solid foundation for a thriving non-profit organization, a detailed master plan, launched this website and social media platforms, and has secured significant community support. Since the City released the 2018 request for proposals, the Committee has been diligently working on this project. The plan is a continuation of that RFP and satisfies the requirements of what the City wants in a curatorship proposal. The Carmel Outlands nonprofit organization is ready to be the Curator of the Flanders Mansion.

Here is a recap of our meetings to date:

Meeting #1 - August 24, 2023:

Meeting #2 - September 25, 2023:

Developed organizational structure and Special Purpose Fund.

  • Lewis Leader to represent the committee at the Oct. 4th City General Meeting,  announcing the formation of the committee and the draft of the master plan.

Meeting #3 - October 17, 2023:

  • Refined Master Plan; focused on a non-profit Board of Directors structure.

Meeting #4 - November 9, 2023:

  • Finalized mission statement; discussed incorporation status and timing.
  • Finalized logo, fonts, colors, stationary.

Meeting #5 - January 4, 2024:

  • Coordinated with city officials; emphasized small, curated gatherings for small groups only at the mansion, focusing on community benefit operated by a non-profit board structure.
  • Received non-profit status with the IRS on Dec 1, 2023.

Meeting #6 - January 31, 2024:

  • Confirmed executive roles; researched property use restrictions.

Meeting #7 - February 28, 2024:

  • Planned community outreach with the neighbors.

Meeting #8 - March 13, 2024:

  • Debriefed round table with neighbors, strategic planning preparation.

Meeting #9 - March 27, 2024:

  • Prepared for city strategic planning meeting, refined master plan.

Meeting #10 - April 10, 2024:

  • Launched the website and Instagram/Facebook pages.
  • Finalized pledge form

Meeting #11 - April 24, 2024:

  • Commenced quiet fundraising phase; engaged community.
  • Identified and approached potential donors to inform them we will be approaching them after the summer.

Meeting #12 - June 26, 2024:

  • Coordinated research at the City and tours; planned newsletter distribution.

Meeting #13 - July 24, 2024:

  • Refined our suggested Conditional Use Permit; finalized tours intentions and details.
  • Fundraising strategy with potential seed donors.
  • Outlined how to get ready in case we are on the September 10th general meeting agenda.

As a group of concerned citizens, the Restoration Committee is committed to restoring the Flanders Mansion for the public benefit and the good of the city. The Committee believes their community-driven approach will ensure the preservation AND access to this historic property, making it a valuable asset for Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Committee has asked city officials for a due-diligence period of four months to determine if there is enough public support for the organization’s mission by raising pledges through a special purpose fund at the Community Foundation of Monterey County.

If we don’t reach our fundraising goal by the end of the due-diligence period, we will not negotiate a lease, no money will change hands, and we’ll have concrete evidence that the public benefit model isn’t viable. The city can then utilize the findings from our feasibility study to inform a new, targeted RFP, or to consider other options, such as renting the property to a private party or even pursuing a sale.

The Committee is prepared and eager to present the comprehensive plan and fundraising strategy to the City Council.

We believe we can take care of the Flanders Mansion opportunity once and for all!

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