These buildings and areas have been named ‘most endangered’ by Preservation Utah
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — As Salt Lake City looks toward a revitalization, many Utahns have expressed concerns over Utah’s more historic buildings.
Speculation has swirled over what could become of Abravanel Hall, the home of the Utah Symphony, and what’s left of Salt Lake’s Japan Town as officials explore creating a new sports and entertainment district near the Delta Center.
But those aren’t the only buildings and areas in danger, according to Preservation Utah, a statewide historic preservation organization whose mission is to “keep the past alive.”
Preservation Utah compiled a list of 2024’s “most endangered places” across the Beehive State, whether due to neglect, development or natural disaster. Over a dozen buildings or areas were listed by the organization
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The historic spots listed as endangered by Preservation Utah are spread out across Utah in five different counties, from Cache to Washington.
It’s no shock that Abravanel Hall and Japan Town made Preservation Utah’s list but so did West High School, the partially demolished Fifth Ward Meetinghouse and several historic houses on Salt Lake City’s west side.
West High School, a century-old structure, was recently the center of a renovation study where an architecture firm proposed four options. Preservation Utah said only one option fully preserves the school. Meanwhile, the Fifth Ward Meetinghouse was already illegally partially demolished. The partial demolition sparked immediate public outrage and quick city response to safeguard and reconstruct the building.
In Cache County, Preservation Utah expressed concerns over Logan Main Street where it said two buildings from the 1890s were already torn down along with the historic library built in 1916. The organization said two other buildings are “in limbo” as Logan City continues to with construction of a new plaza.
In Summit County, the home of Bryon Teancum Mitchell, a stonecutter who helped construct the Salt Lake Temple is also considered to be endangered along with many “A-Frame” homes in Park City.
The Pioneer Courthouse in Washington County, which has been unoccupied in recent years, made the list. Preservation Utah said the sandstone used for the foundation of the building has been slowly eroding over the decades and the building needs repair and preservation.
The organization said while it’s not feasible to save every building or structure, they call on communities and surrounding neighborhoods to make their voices heard to help save as many as they can.
Preservation Utah’s full list of endangered Utah buildings in 2024 can be found online. Utahns may also submit other endangered buildings to Preservation Utah.
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