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).

Last month, the Index began publishing a profile of each endangered property, as compiled by the Trust. Here is what the Trust has to say about Sand Point in Seattle.

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Beginning in 1923, the Thirteenth Naval District based its operations at Sand Point, supervising aviation activities for air stations throughout the northern west coast. 1970 marked the end of military flying out of the base, leaving the task of surplusing a large tract of land containing numerous structures. In the 1990s, the Navy transferred ownership of much of Sand Point to the City of Seattle. Currently part of Seattle’s Magnuson Park, overall integrity of the buildings at the site is relatively high. With construction dates ranging from 1929 through 1942, the structures embody an array of architectural styles.

At present, the City of Seattle has initiated efforts to fully evaluate the historic structures at Sand Point with the potential goal of collectively listing the resources as a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places. Such listing could result in financial incentives for historically appropriate rehabilitation of many structures at Sand Point, making private-public partnerships an appealing option for underutilized buildings. In the meantime, deferred maintenance remains an issue and deterioration is a factor for several historic structures.

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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 .

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The Index has a blog. Visit us at http://i.feedtacoma.com/TDI-Reporters-Notebook/