Art Deco style details on front facade of Harborview Hall, 2012 Most Endangered Historic Properties List / Photo: Stephen Day

Washington Trust Announces a Call for Nominations to the

2013 Most Endangered Historic Properties List

Seattle, Washington:  The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is seeking nominations to its 2013 Most Endangered Historic Properties List.  Nomination forms may be obtained through the Trust’s website at www.preservewa.org.

Statewide, threats to historic resources include demolition, neglect, incompatible development and insensitive alterations.  These challenges, along with many others, impact properties across Washington that significantly contribute to the heritage and vitality of our state while enhancing the quality of life in small towns, large cities and across rural areas.  Inclusion in the Most Endangered List is an important initial step in advocacy campaigns intended to bring attention to significant historic resources.

Historic properties selected for the Most Endangered list receive support and technical assistance from the Washington Trust.  While the focus is to remove the immediate threat facing historic properties, raising awareness of preservation issues in general remains a programmatic goal.  Through proactive partnering with local organizations and concerned citizens, the Washington Trust’s Most Endangered List program has resulted in many high profile success stories across Washington since its establishment in 1992.

Numerous case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of inclusion in our Most Endangered List.  Harborview Hall, located on the Harborview Medical Center Campus in Seattle, represents such an example.  Last year, the Art Deco mid-rise faced demolition in order to clear space on the medical campus for a paved plaza.  In partnership with local advocacy organizations, local government and elected officials, and neighborhood representatives, the Washington Trust supported a public process enabling interested parties to submit redevelopment scenarios for the structure.  To date, officials are working with a developer on the feasibility of rehabilitating Harborview Hall and integrating it with the mission of the surrounding medical campus.

Communities are encouraged to take action when the historic fabric of their neighborhoods, main streets and rural landscapes are threatened.  Through our Most Endangered List, the Washington Trust offers support with preservation efforts aimed at resolving these preservation challenges.