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2011-2012
Ten Most Endangered Historic Places
Technical Assistance Reports
With a grant from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Landmarks
Illinois was able to provide follow-up technical assistance reports for six
properties that were included on our 2011 and 2012 Ten Most Endangered
Historic Places lists. Ranging from physical condition assessments and
reuse recommendations for historic properties in Bloomington, Bolivia,
Charleston, Freeport and Paxton to an organizational/fundraising action plan
for the Kalo Foundation’s Iannelli Home and Studio efforts in Park Ridge,
these reports will help guide next steps for advocates involved with
preserving all of the sites. We hope the reports also can serve as models
for similar building types and efforts in other areas of the state as well.
Technical Assistance Reports
Will Rogers Theatre, Charleston
Saved: The theatre was purchased in November, 2011 by
preservation-minded owners who plan to fully restore the building to its
former grandeur. The purchasers, Katie and James Troccoli of Ottawa,
Illinois and Tim Burke of Los Angeles, California (an Ottawa native), also
own the historic Majestic Theater in Streator, Illinois. They report that
cleaning out the building has begun and hope to start renovation in spring,
2012. The new owners learned about the building from the publicity generated
by its inclusion on Landmarks Illinois’ “Ten
Most” list. Charleston Preservation Commission Chair Kit Morice said the
listing not only created statewide awareness for one of their city’s most
historic buildings, but also helped local officials recognize its
architectural importance.
Iannelli Home and Studio, Park Ridge
Saved: The Kalo Foundation purchased this
vacant set of buildings
that were once the home and studio of noted artist Alfonso Iannelli.
Targeted by developers for demolition and redevelopment, the foundation
raised the needed purchase funds from local donors and closed on the
property in August 2012. The foundation will undertake repairs on both
buildings and pursue a fundraising campaign to establish the Iannelli
Studios Heritage Center. To learn more about this effort, go to:
www.kalofoundation.org.
2010
Illinois Main Street Program
Saved: New state
legislation would reorganize this program – which serves 51 communities –
into the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Introduced by
State Representative Pat Verschoore,
House Bill 3414, creates a statute to formalize the existing Illinois
Main Street program.
Red Cliff, Moline
Rehab Pending: This 1874 frame Italianate was purchased
in April 2011 by a private owner who intends to rehabilitate the property.
2009
Lewis Pharmacy, Canton
Saved:
Six months after the last milkshake was served and the soda fountain closed,
the historic 1915 Lewis Pharmacy has found a thoughtful new owner. Canton
native and historic preservation supporter, Bill Cook, purchased the former
Lewis Pharmacy on August 7, 2009 with the intent of rehabilitating and
reopening the 94-year-old institution. [PHOTO]
To read the full article, go to
www.cantondailyledger.com/news/Lewis-Pharmacy
Porthole Barns, Greene
County
Still threatened:
In 2009 the
Illinois Valley Cultural Heritage Association received a Landmarks Illinois
Preservation Heritage Fund Grant to fund a timber framer to demonstrate the
basics of barn construction and general repair. The Porthole Barns were the
main focus of the workshop during the annual
Green County Days festival.
Riverside Arcade, Riverside
Saved: A developer is restoring
this vacant, 19th century commercial structure, an icon in this National
Historic Landmarks community. Two retail tenants have been secured to date.
Recent work includes restoration of the slate roofs, reconstruction of the
missing cupola and finials, and reinstallation of art glass transom windows
above the storefronts. The owner is taking advantage of the Cook County
Class-L Property Tax Incentive and has applied for a
Federal Rehabilitation
20% tax credit.
2008
Spoon River Bridge, Bernadotte
Still threatened:
A recent
Hog Roast fundraiser brought in $9,700 to hire an engineer to help convert this 1903 structure
into a pedestrian bridge. The Bernadotte Historical Society is working with
county officials to transfer the bridge to the BHS. See
www.bernadottehs.org for more information.
2007
Viking Ship, Geneva
The Viking, a 78-foot-long Viking ship that sailed from Norway to Chicago to
be exhibited at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, was officially
transferred from the Chicago Park District to the trusteeship of Friends of
the Viking Ship, NFP (FOVS) on September 12, 2012. The Viking was listed to
Landmarks Illinois’ 2007 “Ten Most” list. Read more:
Press Release.pdf
2006
Rock Island Arsenal Reservoir Bridge, Rock Island
Partial demolition:
The historic stone bridge (on Arsenal Island) is still standing and still in
dire need of repair. As far as can be determined, there are no imminent
plans for such repair. The old stone reservoir on the arsenal was demolished
a year after it was designated. It had been "repaired" over the years in a
way that contributed to its unsustainable condition and was deemed, probably
correctly, irreversibly decayed. [PHOTO]
2005
Gillett Memorial Arch, Elkhart
Saved:
A Landmarks Illinois Heritage Grant Fund will provide for maintenance and
tuckpointing of the arch in spring 2007. The Elkhart Historical Society and
local governments continue to tackle the issue of how to insure the bridge;
but all parties have agreed to allow the Elkhart Historical Society to make
repairs and maintain the bridge.
Contact:
Elkhart Historical Society, Gillette Ransome, (217) 947-2238. [PHOTO]
2004
Fuller Home Dome, Carbondale
Saved: The geodesic dome is Buckminster Fuller's most enduring
legacy, and the city of Carbondale is the proud home of the only dome which
Bucky lived in and owned. For RBF Dome NFP, a non-profit organization
dedicated to honoring Buckminster Fuller's legacy, restoring Bucky's home is
just the beginning. Read about their plans here
fullerdomehome.org
and then donate here:
fullerdomehome.org/donate. Every donation will
be matched by the Save America's Treasure Grant, doubling all contributions
up to $125,000. The Fuller Dome Home was a LI Heritage Grant recipient.
2003
Alton City Hall, Alton
Saved: The Alton City Hall has been completely renovated. In February of
2007, the city government moved back into the renovated building which
proved to be less expensive than demolishing and constructing a new city
hall.
Contact:
Alton Area Landmarks Association,
www.altonlandmarks.org,
(618) 465-3030. [PHOTO]
Hibbard “Cupola” House,
Marengo
Still threatened: The city has encouraged the owner to have the
building painted, the brush cut back in the yard and the have the
windows and doors boarded up. The House is still unoccupied after 26
years.
Contact: Marengo Society for Historic Preservation, Lisa Trainor,
lvtrainor@aol.com,
(815) 568-1107. [PHOTO]
Illinois Central Railroad Depot, Mattoon
Saved:
For many years the majority of this 1916, three-story structure had been
vacant and deteriorating, despite its continued use as a stop on the
Chicago-New Orleans passenger train route. Now the building has a new tenant
– the Mattoon Arts Council (MAC) – which will house offices and community
space for artists. With grant funding and private donations underwriting the
$100,000 renovation bill, the MAC hopes to be in its new location soon. To
be involved or contribute toward this effort, go to:
mattoonartscouncil.org.
[PHOTO]
Kendall County Jail & Sheriff’s Residence, Yorkville
Still threatened: Efforts within the County Board to demolish the property
have been held back. Small repairs on the building roof have been made
through private donation, but the building still has substantial deferred
maintenance issues.
Contact: Stephanie Todd,
foxrivervalley@aol.com, (630) 554-2321.
[PHOTO]
2002
Illinois State Penitentiary, Joliet
Still threatened: The Urban Land
Institute, with a grant from Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning,
completed a study in early 2012 for the long-vacant historic limestone
building and its surrounding industrial and quarry sites on the city’s east
side. Government officials and community leaders agree that this important
landmark must be saved and the plan presented by ULI included the potential
for recreational, retail and residential redevelopment. But ten years of
neglect by the state have taken their toll on the historic building. ULI
advised there is a small window of time to act and encouraged the City to
continue to work with the State to protect this great site so that it can
once again take its place in the life of the community. [PHOTO]
Mallinckrodt Campus, Wilmette
Saved: The main building of the Campus
has been converted to condominiums. [PHOTO]
1997
Loop Elevated Stations, Chicago
Still threatened: One historic station (Washington-Wells) was replaced by a
new, contemporary-styled station. Several others continue to deteriorate and
are scheduled to be replaced, although funding constraints make timing
uncertain.
[PHOTO]
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