Preservation Chicago has revealed its list of its "Chicago 7 Most Endangered" list for this year.
This year's list (which actually has eight entries) includes:
The Century and Consumers Buildings at 202 and 220 S. State St.: Preservation Chicago has recently learned that a $52 million expenditure has been earmarked in the Federal Infrastructure Bill currently before Congress, specifically for the demolition of The Century Building and the Consumers Buildings.
Chicago Public Housing, particularly at Altgeld, Cabrini Row Houses and Lathrop Homes: Cabrini Row Houses, Lathrop Homes-South Campus and two non-residential buildings at Altgeld Gardens face various threats to their successful restoration and reuse.
St. Martin de Tours, at 5848 S. Princeton Ave.: Tt was designed by renowned ecclesial architect Henry J. Schlacks for a fledgling German Catholic parish in Englewood. The church first served German immigrants and became a thriving Black parish before closing in 1989. After years of deferred maintenance and closure, St. Martin has suffered significant deterioration.
Peterson Avenue Midcentury Modern District: This areawhich covers a roughly two-mile stretch from North Park to West Ridgecontains the most revered collection of Midcentury Modern architecture anywhere in Chicago. Today, Peterson Avenue's Midcentury Modernist buildings are threatened by neglect, abandonment, alterations and demolition.
Promontory Point: According to Preservation Chicago, "The City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District intend to replace The Point's natural limestone with a mass of concrete, destroying not only the historic stepstone revetment, but also the naturalistic aesthetic of this Alfred Caldwell-designed park."
Central Park Theater, at 3535 W. Roosevelt Rd.: The theater closed in 1971 and the House of Prayer Church of God in Christ congregation and leadership has been stewarding it since. However, the repair needs at the theater are growing, and the older congregation at House of Prayer is dwindling.
North DuSable Lake Shore Drive: The press release stated, "The issues along North DuSable Lake Shore Drive are many. However, let's take a more sensitive and holistic approach to preserving and — where required or needed — rebuilding bridges and underpasses. Let us continue to maintain and honor those remarkable features that make traveling along North DuSable Lake Shore Drive a pleasurable experience."
Moody Triangle, in Old Town: he Moody Triangle site is formed by North Avenue at the south and the convergence of Clark Street and LaSalle Drive at the north end of this block, within the Old Town neighborhood of the Lincoln Park community. Various sites are threatened by looming demolition, as the Moody campus around it is planning a large demolition and new construction project.
Since 2003, the "Chicago 7 Most Endangered" has sounded the alarm on imminently threatened historic buildings and public assets in Chicago to mobilize the stakeholder support necessary to save them from demolition, according to a Preservation Chicago press release.
The organization hopes to elevate awareness and preservation solutions for these most urgent buildings. Nominations for this list come from the public and preservation partners throughout Chicago. The announcement was broadcast live from the Chicago Architecture Center.