2013 Ten Most Endangered Historic Sites in NJ

The 10 Most Endangered Historic Places list rallies support for important character-defining landmarks and historic resources that teeter on the brink of extinction. For the first time ever, this year’s list includes more than 10 listings: in addition to 10 remarkable places, we’re highlighting the current need for quick legislative action to save the Garden State Preservation Trust, a funding resource that is imperative to heritage statewide. As always, we hope these listings will serve as catalysts for positive change and the implementation of creative preservation solutions throughout New Jersey.

Several challenges face properties on this year’s endangered sites list, including neglect and deferred maintenance, vandalism, redevelopment proposals, and potentially damaging new legislation and regulations. The
effects of an extraordinarily challenging economy remain evident, particularly in the wake of Superstorm Sandy: a dearth of funds, limited viable rehabilitation plans, and taxed municipal and state budgets are just a few of the difficult issues with which not only those sites on this year’s list, but historic properties throughout New Jersey, are currently grappling.

As we acknowledge each year, selections to the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places list are based on the likelihood that historic buildings and places can be brought back to useful and productive life. PNJ proudly points to many properties previously listed among the 10 Most Endangered that have now been saved and preserved or rehabilitated, and have once again become character-defining assets to New Jersey’s communities.