PROVIDENCE – The Providence Preservation Society on Wednesday released the results of its annual Most Endangered Properties survey.
The list seeks to identify historic structures threatened by development. “In a city known for its extraordinary architecture, unfortunately, many historic buildings are still threatened by factors such as neglect, insufficient funds, adverse public policy and inappropriate development,” the organization said in a news release.
After nominations by the public, the society identified seven buildings and three complexes facing the threat of destruction. New to this year’s list are:
- Brownell & Field Co. (1907-08) and Terminal Warehouse Co. (1913) buildings, 119 Harris Ave. and 338 Allens Ave.
- Kendrick-Prentice-Tirocchi House (1867), 514 Broadway
- Rhode Island Hospital Southwest Pavilion (1900), 593 Eddy St.
- Temple Beth El/Shaare Zedek Synagogue (1910-11), 688 Broad St.
The six other structures on this year’s list also appeared on lists in prior years:
- The Arcade (1828), 130 Westminster St./65 Weybosset St.
- Atlantic Mills Towers (1863), 100 Manton Ave.
- Benjamin Dyer Block, western half (1820), 219 Weybosset St.
- Cathedral of St. John and diocesan properties (1810), 271 North Main St.
- Grove Street Elementary School (1901), 95 Grove St.
- Downtown Providence National Register District (includes George C. Arnold Building, 1923; Providence National Bank building façade, 1940s; Teste Block, 1860)
The annual Preservation Society list, modeled after the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 11 Most Endangered Places, started in Providence in 1994. It was suspended in 2005 and 2006 during the planning process for PPS’s 50th anniversary events.
The society says it hopes the list serves as a catalyst for sustainable development by sparking conversation and finding solutions that ensure preservation.
The society noted two successes in protecting properties placed on last year’s list.
The General Ambrose Burnside House, at 314 Benefit St., underwent extensive work during the summer of 2009 to restore the property to its late 19th-century splendor. And the Captain Joseph Tillinghast House, at 403 South Main St., is currently being stabilized and restored.
Additional information is available at ppsri.org.