EDITOR’S NOTE: On May 26, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation announced its annual list of Washington State’s Most Endangered Historic Places. The list dates back to 1992, and aims to raise awareness of historic properties that face demolition by redevelopment or neglect. Over the past 17 years, according to the Trust, more than 100 have been nominated by concerned citizens and organizations across the state. The organization also assists historic preservation advocates in developing strategies aimed at removing these threats.

This year’s list includes Curran House (University Place); Alki Homestead Restaurant (Seattle); BF Tabbott House (Bainbridge Island); Bush House (Index); George Carmack House (Seattle); Day Block (Dayton); Old Ellensburg Hospital (Ellensburg); Libbey House (Coupeville); Post-Intelligencer Globe (Seattle); Sand Point Naval Station (Seattle); St. Edward’s Catholic Church (Shelton); Surrey Downs (Bellevue); Vashon Elementary Gymnasium (Vashon Island).

Yesterday, the Index began publishing a profile of each endangered property, as compiled by the Trust. Here is what the Trust has to say about the BF Tabbott House on Bainbridge Island.

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Built in 1903, the BF Tabbott House is part of a small and cohesive group of early island wood-framed residences along Ericksen Avenue constructed to house workers at the Hall Brothers Shipyard in Winslow. The Winslow Master Plan, updated in 2006, describes these houses as being built in the form of a New England village: close to the street, close to each other, complete with front porches and consistent architectural character. The stated cohesiveness of the area prompted the City of Bainbridge Island to create the Ericksen Avenue Overlay District as part of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. As identified in the plan, the intent of the Overlay District is to preserve the historic character these resources provide.

Counter to the objectives of the Overlay District as defined in the Comprehensive Plan, the city’s planning commission approved a proposal on May 14 to demolish the BF Tabbott House, replacing it with a mixed-use project that would combine residential and commercial uses on the site. This decision was based in part on an independent legal analysis that the Ericksen Avenue Overlay District as defined in the Comprehensive Plan, while designed to preserve the area’s historic character, does not specifically prohibit demolition of the historic resources located therein.

The design guidelines in place for the Overlay District do allow conversion of the historic single family structures to non-residential use, but require new additions to be made toward the rear of the existing buildings. With the recent planning commission decision, the fear is that more property owners will simply opt to demolish historic structures within the Overlay District rather than work to retain the historic character by implementing development programs that utilize the existing buildings. As for the BF Tabbott House, one of the more intact structures along Ericksen Avenue, the remaining hope is that someone interested in relocating the house will come forward.

For more information on the Trust, visit http://www.wa-trust.org .

For earlier Index coverage of the Trust, click on the following links:

1. In an old hilltop mansion, a strong voice for preservation (04/14/09) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1528102&more=0 or http://www.wahmee.com/tdi_wa_trust.pdf .

2. Long list of concerns for Washington State preservationists (05/29/08) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1228444&more=0 or http://www.wahmee.com/tdi_jennifer_meisner_qa.pdf .