PROVIDENCE – The Industrial Trust Co. Building has been placed on the 2019 list of America’s Most Endangered Historic Places list by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the organization announced Thursday.
The nonprofit’s annual list is designed to raise awareness and resources to save properties deemed historical landmarks around the nation. The designation has been given to more than 300 properties in the United states since 1988. The “Superman Building” was the only New England structure in this year’s 11 properties named. The 2019 list included entire districts, a bridge, ancestral homes in Utah and a monument in Washington D.C., among others.
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The report included context from Brent Runyon, executive director of the Providence Preservation Society.
“[The Industrial Trust Co. Building] was really this monumental statement saying, ‘Providence is on its way,’ ” said Runyon. “Unfortunately, it was the last thing that was built that said that for a long time,” he added.
Runyon also noted that the building, “needs some creative ideas, and of course, money. It requires quite a large subsidy to close the gap.”
The National Trust for Historic Preservation said that the chance to save the building was dwindling due to the phase out of Rhode Island historic tax credits. Runyon reiterated a call for state leaders to help save the building with incentives. The report also noted that the building exists within a federally recognized Opportunity Zone.
The Industrial Trust Co. Building has been vacant for six years after Bank of America left when its lease expired. There are no known plans to renovate the property.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation said it works thorough direct outreach and advocacy campaigns to protect properties. Both the Providence Preservation Society and the National Trust for Historic Preservation said also solicited donations Thursday for their causes in conjunction with the announcement.
The building is owned by High Rock Westminster Street LLC, a business run by David Sweetser, who has not made public any plans for renovation.
Chris Bergenheim is PBN’s web editor. He can be reached at Bergenheim@PBN.com.
