2017 Ten Most Endangered Historic Sites in NJ

The 10 Most Endangered Historic Places program spotlights irreplaceable historic, architectural, cultural, and archeological resources in New Jersey that are in imminent danger of being lost. The act of listing these resources acknowledges their importance to the heritage of New Jersey, and draws attention to the predicaments that endanger their survival and the survival of historic resources statewide. The list, generated from nominations by the public, aims to attract new perspectives and ideas to sites in desperate need of creative solutions.

Several challenges face properties on this year’s endangered sites list, including the difficulties of raising adequate historic preservation funding, neglect and deferred maintenance, threats incurred by redevelopment and new construction, the need for creative adaptive reuse proposals, and the lack of state entities recognizing and preserving historic resources. As the economy continues to improve, the impacts to historic properties and places are more imminent. The list demonstrates increased development pressures resulting in threats of demolition of the historic resource; the need to incorporate history and historic preservation in redevelopment plans for neighborhoods, towns, and cities throughout the state; and the value of using preservation as a positive tool for revitalization.

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. As we announce this year’s list, we are encouraged by recent news regarding the Union Hotel in Flemington, which was included on our 2016 list. The Flemington Redevelopment Committee and the developer have reached a new redevelopment plan that no longer calls for demolition of the Union Hotel and another historic building on Main Street. While the details on the new plan are not clear yet, PNJ believes the Borough and developer’s change of attitude about this significant building is a step in the right direction, and are encouraged local advocates will continue to bring awareness to the value of preserving a historic resource in its entirety to the decision-makers. Although PNJ’s 10-Most Endangered Properties list is published once per year, the fight for the preservation of our historic and cultural resources is daily, and the news of the Union Hotel is evidence that bringing awareness of such threats can bring about creative solutions.