2023 Area Preservation News
2023 Historic Preservation Stories in the News
Let's take a look at some 2023 historic preservation in the vicinity of 50 miles of Naperville:
There’s 👍 positive news, 👎 negative news, and 😬 nail biting news.
There’s more positive news than negative.
Key themes for success are:
Community knowledge and recognition of what is historically valuable
Community advocacy
Institutional support
Sound legislation and municipal support
Financial backing and incentives
Please follow the links to read about each one.
2023 News on Landmarks Illinois 2022 List of Most Endangered Historic Places within 50 miles of Naperville
👍 Century & Consumers Building, Chicago
Made 2023 National List of Most Endangered Historic Sites
Chicago’s Century and Consumers Buildings Named to List of Nation’s Most Endangered Historic Sites👍 Eugene S. Pike House, Chicago
Potential Adaptive reuse by Beverly Area Arts Alliance
POTENTIAL WIN: Adaptive Reuse Proposal Received for Pike House/Watchman’s Residence👎 Will County Courthouse, Joliet
In process of being demolished
Will County Board votes 12-4 to continue courthouse demolition👍 Gillson Park, Wilmette
Submitted to National Register of Historic Place (Should hear in January 2024 if approved)
Wilmette’s Gillson Park in talks to join National Register of Historic Places
2023 News on Landmarks Illinois 2023 List of Most Endangered Historic Places within 50 miles of Naperville
😬 Century & Consumers Buildings, Chicago
Landmark recommendation sent to City Hall, but federally owned towers have approved funds to demolish
Final landmark recommendation approved for Century & Consumers Buildings😬 Damen Silos, Chicago
City’s decision deferred pending federal review
Damen Silos will remain in limbo as Army Corps reviews application to demolish👍 Baxter International Headquarters, Deerfield
Sale of property off along with plan for demolition for now
Baxter Will Remain In Deerfield As Sale Of Campus Off: Spokesperson😬 Alexander Brothers Blacksmith Shop, Geneva
City denied demolition in September, owner appealing to Kane County Judge
Owner asks judge to allow demolition of historic Geneva blacksmith shop😬 Oak Cottage, Naperville
Needs a historical assessment and adaptive reuse plan or will be up for demolition in 2025
Endangered Landmark: Working to Save an Historic Naperville Farmhouse👍 Richmond’s Historic Wooden Bridge, Richmond
Landmarks Illinois presented to City Council potential restoration funding & partnership models
August 2023 Preservation News: Preserving Richmond's Historic Wooden Bridge
2023 News on other Historic Places within 50 miles of Naperville
👍 Meeting House, Antioch
Oldest free-standing building unanimously designated as Antioch’s first individual landmark
Antioch grants landmark status to ‘Meeting House’👍 Old Copley Hospital, Aurora
American Institute of Architects awards Kluber Architects + Engineers for preservation/renovation
Bloomhaven honored with prestigious design award for transformative hospital renovation👍 716 N. Dunton St., Arlington Heights
Panel denied teardown of 19th-century home for replacement with a modern, bigger one
Rare rejection of teardown request in Arlington Heights, amid home's 'historical value,' officials say👍 St. James St., Arlington Heights
Owners convinced the village to downzone properties to prevent high-density redevelopment
Rare downzoning in Arlington Heights aimed at preserving century-old homes👎 2240 N. Burling St., Chicago
City’s 90-day rule on demolition permits was not enough to protect this historic building
Demolition of historic Lincoln Park home underway after lost preservation fight👍 Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, Chicago
Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse begins legal process to take ownership from City
Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse Begins Legal Process to Own Lighthouse👍 Promontory Point, Chicago
After 20 year of advocacy, the original limestone steps on the peninsula are landmarked
City takes action to preserve Promontory Point’s limestone steps, approves landmark status👍 Thompson Center, Chicago
Rehab plans for the Helmut Jahn-designed building are praised by historic preservationists
Google to reconstruct Thompson Center starting early next year, but will keep atrium👍 Wolfson Building, Chicago
Former women’s shelter in Garfield Park designated a Chicago landmark
West Side Women’s Shelter Building Named A Chicago Landmark, Saving It From Wrecking Ball👍 33rd Annual Mayor's Awards for Preservation, Elgin
Full Circle Communities for adaptive reuse of the 1912 Larkin Home for Children was a recipient
Past Recipients of Elgin’s Annual Mayor’s Awards for Preservation👍 Little Owl/Flagstone, Geneva
$290,000 grant and tax rebate recommended for structural and architectural renovations
Geneva panel supports $290K to revive boarded-up Little Owl/Flagstone👍 Preservation Policies, Glencoe
To reduce loss historic sites, recommendations such as homeowner incentives are being made
Glencoe Preservation Commission looks to update historic home preservation policies👍 George Baker House, Glen Ellyn
176-year-old home once in disrepair is now on National Register, restored, and has new owners
Glen Ellyn home on the National Register of Historic Places sells for $548,000😬 McKee House, Glen Ellyn
Midwest SOARRING Foundation needs $1million by 2026 or building will be demolished
Landmark agreement clears way for Native American center in Glen Ellyn👍 Liberty Theatre, Libertyville
Its community significance, not architectural significance persuaded village leaders to razing it
‘These chances don’t come around that often’: Changes sought in Liberty Theater plan👍 11 E. Main St., 8 Indiana St., & 411 Prairie St., St. Charles
$36,588 in grants approved by City Council for facade improvement of 3 historic buildings
St. Charles grant funding to help rehabilitate three local historic properties👍 “Saxony Terrace”, St. Charles
Historic Preservation Commission recommends landmarking as desired by owner
Historic Preservation Commission recommendation to approve Historic Landmark Designation for 838 N. 5th Ave., “Saxony Terrace”👍 Carnegie Library, Waukegan
A 5 year effort pays off: The city's first public library will become the Waukegan History Museum
'You'll see history come to life': Renovation of long-closed Carnegie Library in Waukegan begins😬 Prince Crossing Station, West Chicago
Railway advocates want to move station before Wheaton Academy tears it down
Monument to innovation: Can preservationists save 121-year-old railroad depot in West Chicago?👍 Old McHenry County Courthouse, Woodstock
The 3 story renovation will be for 30,000 sq ft of fully accessible mixed-use commercial space
Studio GWA announces the restoration of the Old Courthouse in Woodstock👍 2023 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards
In addition to the previous sites, 7 of 9 2023 awards recipients were within 50 miles of Naperville
2023 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award Recipients