Last week the
Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh (YPA)
announced its annual list of Top 10 Best Preservation Opportunities.
Topping the list at number one is Main Street Waynesburg.
Chief Executive Office of YPA Daniel
Holland says the list is a celebration of preservation and the
investments and jobs it creates, a
more positive complement to the
National Trust for Historic
Preservation's Endangered List. In its eight years,
the Top 10 list has generated more than $80 million of revitalization
through preservation of the sites.
"It sends a message that these are important historic sites and there are good things happening with preservation," he says.
Other
places on the list include Elizabeth's Grand Theatre, the Highland
Building in East Liberty, the Stables Building in Allegheny West and the
Wigman House in Carrick. Locations are chosen based on four criteria:
age, historic and architectural significance, threats to the site,
community input and feasibility of the solution.
Holland says
Main Street Waynesburg was chosen as number one because of the success
of the Main Street program, but also due to the demolition threats along
the Main Street. He explains that making it the top choice demonstrates
its potential for revitalization.
In addition to the Top 10
List, YPA announced that
Pittsburgh Peabody High School won its Michael
Eversmeyer Promise Award. The award is given to an emerging preservationist (or group
of preservationists), and Peabody High School students are writing a book
about their community that will be released in June.
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Writer:
Alex Audia
Source: Daniel Holland, YPA