Happy National Historic Preservation Month!
Posted on | May 1, 2009 | 1 Comment
Did you know that May is National Historic Preservation Month? You did?! See, I knew my readers were awesome!
So you must also know that it “was designed to raise awareness about the power historic preservation has to protect and enhance our homes, neighborhoods and communities – the places that really matter to us” right? Catchy and it also “…provides an opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and towns, and enables all of us to become involved in the growing preservation movement.” Can you dig it? I can.
This year marks the 22nd annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Since 1988, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has used this list as an alarm to raise awareness of the serious threats facing the nation’s greatest treasures. The list, which has identified 211 sites through 2009, has been so successful in galvanizing preservation efforts across the country and rallying resources to save one-of-a-kind landmarks that, in over two decades, only six sites have been lost.
A few buildings on this year’s list:
Miami Marine Stadium (Threat? Development + Neglect)
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple (Threat: Deterioration)
Century Plaza Hotel (Threat? Development)
I’m doing my best to disregard the fact that the graffiti on the Miami Marine Stadium is actually pretty cool and realize that it could all be gone someday. (If you get the chance, Google some images and you’ll see what I am talking about). The stadium, a prime target for development, has suffered from years of deterioration and neglect. Which is really quite sad because it was once the place to see and be seen.
Due to water infiltration the structure of FLW’s Unity Temple is now compromised and the repair costs are far too high – cost of the complete project, including interior restoration, is estimated at $20 to $25 million.
Currently operating as a Hyatt Regency, the Century Plaza Hotel was purchased by Next Century Associates in May of 2008. The new owner promptly called the hotel “a jewel in my hometown” – but less than six months later, the same owner announced plans to raze the building and replace it with two 600-foot towers. However, this hotel is in excellent condition and was the beneficiary of a $36 million facelift just over a year ago! Sounds wasteful to me.
When historic buildings and neighborhoods are torn down or allowed to deteriorate, a part of our past disappears forever. When that happens, we lose history that helps us know who we are, and we lose opportunities to live and work in the kinds of interesting and attractive surroundings that older buildings can provide.
If you’re interested in getting involved, you can become a member here or donate!
[Information: National Trust for Historic Preservation]
[Images via Urban Paradise, via Trip Advisor, Wikipedia]
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Hello!
My name is Kristin and, if the blog name didn't give it away, I'm an interior designer. I'm also a self - proclaimed nerd, a grad student at SCAD-Atlanta, and a big fan of architecture, photography, travel, and iced chais. In a nutshell: I'm a lover of good design of all kinds.
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Seen + Heard
August 5th, 2009 @ 8:44 am
The Marine Stadium has been under the threat of being bulldozed for years! After Hurricane Andrew, the cantilevered roof was badly deteriorated and people thought for sure that the powers that be were going to tear it down, but it still stands. At this point, it’s a hazard which is a shame because the stadium is an architectural gem!