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Most Endangered Program

Historic Salem established the Most Endangered Historic Resources Program in 2000, modeled after similar programs run by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and PreservationMass. The purpose of the program is to focus both public attention and Historic Salem's efforts on specific endangered properties, and in some cases, categories of properties. Since the establishment of the list, four properties have been upgraded from Endangered to Saved or Recovering, while many others show distinctive Signs of Improvement.

Historic Salem has identified two properties on the current list as the highest priority properties:

• Until it was vacated in 1991, the Salem Jail was one of the oldest correctional facilities in the country still fulfilling its original function. The complex today consists of three buildings including a three story Federal Period Jail Keeper's House and the granite block Salem Jail itself. The complex has been vacant since 1991, and the Jail Keeper's House was severely damaged by fire in the summer of 1999. It has since had a new roof installed to prevent further deterioration from the elements. While the individual buildings have considerable architectural significance, the complex is additionally important as it is located on one of the busiest entrance corridors and visitor gateways to the City, within walking distance of the heart of historic downtown Salem. Among other strategies, HSI, in conjunction with the City, is proposing a multi-disciplinary charette to study alternative redevelopment possibilities for this unique historic property.
• The Wendt House at 18 Crombie Street is a small gambrel roofed house built in 1783. It is located in the City's smallest National Register Historic District consisting of the only collection of 18th century residential structures remaining in the heart of the downtown commercial district. A concerted effort over many years spearheaded by the City's legal department and supported by a small but active neighborhood association and HSI led to an innovative solution to a seemingly intractable standoff. Habitat for Humanity has now been chosen to rehabilitate the house for affordable home ownership. HSI strongly supports Habitat goal to preserve the historic integrity of both the house and the neighborhood and looks forward to working with all parties to finally declare this building Saved!
  

New Development and Design Review

Historic Salem is actively involved in design review of development proposals, both new construction and rehabilitation as they occur, and participates in planning initiatives affecting historic resources. Current identified specific projects which the Board has recognized as priorities are:

• North River Canal Corridor Plan and zoning initiatives
• MBTA Garage
• Courthouse Plan
  

New proposals will be referred to the Design Review Committee (a sub-committee of the Preservation Committee). Historic Salem previously petitioned Massachusetts Historic Commission to be an interested party in the regulatory process of any projects subject to state and federal historic preservation review and will continue participation as applicable.

New Initiatives

Demolition by Neglect Ordinance and Enforcement

Throughout the City's neighborhoods many historic properties are so severely neglected that there is an incentive on the owner's part to demolish the building. Potential nominations to HSI's Most Endangered List over the past several years demonstrate a pattern of privately owned buildings so threatened. Recently, owners of at least two historic properties in two different neighborhoods have sought to demolish buildings which they have owned for decades on the basis of the building's deterioration. Efforts to save these buildings remain unresolved.

There is no simple explanation why historic property owners neglect their properties, and no simple solution will solve the problem. While the City has made progress with its "Clean It or Lien It" program, it lacks the appropriate tools to prevent demolition by neglect without long and expensive legal battles. HSI supports passage of an ordinance which, together with vigorous enforcement and appropriate financial protections, especially for our elderly residents, will provide the appropriate tools to prevent this threat to our historic buildings. A model ordinance was introduced to the Salem City Council early in 2004. Historic Salem hopes to work with the Council and the Administration to advance this process.

Protection for Vulnerable Historic Resources and Neighborhoods

While Salem has over 4,000 surveyed historic resources (fewer only than Boston and Newton in the Commonwealth) including about 2400 individual or contributing buildings in National Register districts. However, just over 600 buildings are protected by local historic district ordinances and another approximately 100 buildings have some protection through the local Salem Redevelopment Authority.

Thus the vast majority of Salem's historic properties are not protected from inappropriate exterior renovation and outright demolition, with the exception of a 6 month demolition delay notice,. These unprotected properties include most of the Salem Common and Derby Street neighborhoods, the historic entrance corridors of Bridge, Boston and North Streets, the Bridge Street Neck National Register District, the Willows, most of South Salem, North Salem, and Gallows Hill.

As real estate values continue to escalate, there is the positive and welcome activity of individual property owners upgrading and restoring historic properties which have been long neglected. On the other hand, other property owners seek to realize the increased value of the underlying land by demolishing and constructing anew.

Each neighborhood and situation is different, and different solutions will be needed. In some cases additional regulatory protection such as an historic district, an entrance overlay district, or a neighborhood conservation district may be appropriate. Any additional protections must also be appropriate and endorsed by the neighborhood affected.

While Historic Salem recognizes that this initiative will require a multi year process of education and advocacy over a number of years, we are committed to working cooperatively with neighborhoods and the City to create long term and appropriate solutions.

Expansion of Ongoing Programs

Historic Salem has identified as a priority the expansion of its efforts toward the preservation of historic resources on the City's Historic Entrance Corridors, currently on the Most Endangered Resources List. Many of the City's finest collections of historic buildings, traditional streetscapes and landscapes are located along the urban entrance corridors of Boston, Bridge and North Streets. Today, these historic resources are being collectively blighted and compromised by multiple factors.

Recent efforts by property owners along Boston Street are being supported by a City task force has resulted in improvements to sidewalks, street plantings, signage, building facades, and fencing. On Bridge Street, an extensive building survey was conducted in recent years resulting in the designation of more than 400 contributing properties within a new National Register District.

Walking tours of Boston, Bridge and North Streets sponsored by HSI in September 2003 focused attention on the historic and architectural significance of these entrance corridors and the ongoing threats to these historic resources. Historic Salem will continue its focus on these resources, and will make protection of the Historic Entrance Corridors a priority of its initiative on protecting unprotected historic resources.

Maintenance and Expansion of Ongoing Programs - Second Priority

Historic Salem will continue it's clean up of Fort Lee, and will closely watch and advocate for the remaining Still Endangered properties, 69 Boston Street, St. Mary's Italian Church, Salem Woods, and Pioneer Village.

Historic Salem has also identified as the opportunity to expand its efforts towards the preservation and reuse of industrial buildings along the North River, also on the Most Endangered Resources List. While these buildings remain largely unprotected, the recently completed North River Canal Corridor Neighborhood Master Plan supports their reuse, with a possible focus on artist live/work space. Historic Salem hopes to work with the City in the coming year to develop incentives for renovation and reuse of these buildings.

New Initiatives - Second Priority

As resources allow, Historic Salem has identified the following new initiatives.

• Preservation of historic churches, particularly churches closed by the Archdiocese of Boston
• Develop a Preservation Resource Center and a centralized Historic Resources Inventory
• Develop a Statement of Preservation Vision for city
• Improve technical assistance to homeowners, commercial, and other property owners