‘Superman’ building, Cranston Street Armory, make Most Endangered Properties list

THE INDUSTRIAL TRUST Building downtown on Westminster Street, known as the "Superman" building, made the Providence Preservation Society's 2017 Most Endangered Properties list. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ RUPERT WHITELEY
THE INDUSTRIAL TRUST Building downtown on Westminster Street, known as the "Superman" building, made the Providence Preservation Society's 2017 Most Endangered Properties list. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ RUPERT WHITELEY

PROVIDENCE – Eleven properties made the Providence Preservation Society’s 2017 Most Endangered Properties List, including the Industrial Trust Building, better known as the “Superman” building for its resemblance to the structure on the old television show.

The list was made public at the organization’s annual meeting and preservation awards ceremony Wednesday night.

According to PPS, the list features historically significant properties in the city considered to be threatened by deterioration, neglect and demolition. A list has been created each year since 1994, and its purpose is to generate interest and support for the structures, as well as to educate the public about benefits of historic preservation. To compile the list, PPS works with neighbors, preservationists and activists.

In addition to the Superman building at 111 Westminster St. downtown, which was featured on the list last year and in 2014, properties include:

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  • Atlantic Mills, 100 Manton Ave., Olneyville, built in 1863
  • Barstow Stove Co. (known as Tops Electric Co.), 120 Point St., Jewelry District (1849)
  • Bomes Theatre, 1017 Broad St., Elmwood (1921)
  • Broad Street Synagogue, 688 Broad St.(1910-1911)
  • Cranston Street Armory, 310 Cranston St., West End (1907)
  • Humboldt Fire Station, 155 Humboldt Ave., Wayland (1906)
  • Rhodes Street National Register District, Rhodes/Alphonso/Janes Streets, Upper South Providence (1850s-1890s)
  • Sheffield Smith House, 334 Smith St., Smith Hill (1855)
  • Former Sixth Precinct Police Station, 36 Chaffee St., Olneyville (1890)
  • Welcome Arnold House, 21 Planet St., College Hill (1785-1798)

Atlantic Mills, Barstow Stove Co., Bomes Theatre, Broad Street Synagogue, Cranston Street Armory and Sheffield Smith House also were featured on the list last year. Broad Street Synagogue and the Sheffield Smith House also were featured in 2015.

The Cranston Street Armory also made appearances from 1996 to 2000, 2003, and 2014 and 2015. Built to house the Rhode Island National Guard, it has been described as a castle-like structure that has remained largely underutilized since the guard left in 1996 due to rising upkeep costs.

The Providence Preservation Society, in its news release, said several buildings featured on past Most Endangered Properties Lists have been saved, including the Arcade, Poirier’s Diner, Ladd Observatory at Brown University, The Steel Yard and Pearl Street Lofts.

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  1. Instead of using old St. Joe’s as a the place for the Providence homeless, why not round up all of the needy in the State and use the Industrial National Building for that purpose. It could be a combined housing, educational, medical and in house training center for the occupants. They can go from rehab to on the job training all in one building. You could have ground floor restaurants and some space for government agencies on several floors where the residences can obtain training. The upper floors would be reserved for residences, rehab centers, and classroom instruction. There would be a very strict policy as to proper behavior to remain in the program. Dropouts (other than those with mental health issues) would be given a one way bus ticket out of State The building would become the last chance opportunity for these individuals to rehabilitate themselves. Unfortunately, we would need to find another location for the mentally ill.