Old is the New Green

Today, the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh releases the first of its Top Ten Best Preservation Opportunities in the Pittsburgh Area.

Since 2003, YPA has celebrated historic preservation with its annual list of the Top Ten Best Preservation Opportunities in the Pittsburgh Area. The list, compiled from nominations received from various individuals and organizations, is designed to encourage investment in historic sites throughout the nine-county southwestern Pennsylvania region. The list has been used by property owners to draw positive attention to their properties, raise investment funds, secure grants, and generate political goodwill for their historic sites.

The sites featured on YPA's list come from six different counties and include industrial structures, Main Street commercial buildings, schools, a train station, and a bridge. Main Street features prominently in the list, with four of the Top Ten sites being situated in an existing Main Street commercial district. The remaining six sites are within blocks of an existing Main Street community.

The criteria used to select the Top Ten List include the following:

1. 50-year Threshold (is it 50 years old or older);

2. Historic & Architectural Significance;

3. Threats to the Site;

4. Community Input; and

5. Feasibility of the Solution.

YPA’s companion report, “The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Southwestern Pennsylvania,” which will be released on May 20, 2010, demonstrates the immense economic impact that historic preservation has had on various communities.

The data show that over the last seven years, more than $80 million has been invested into properties placed on YPA’s Top 10 List. Consequently, this created the following results:

> $1.30 of private financing for every $1 of public investment was generated,

> 1,245 construction and trade-related jobs created,

> production of 230 housing units resulted,

> $750,000 in additional annual wage tax revenue is yielded to state and local municipalities, and

> a total of 401 permanent employment positions were created.

Since YPA’s first Top Ten List was first published, only three sites have been lost.

As YPA’s Top Ten List continues to show, an investment in historic properties is not only good for the economy, it is good for the environment. What better way to save the earth than to reuse what we have already built.

This is important for a new generation concerned with the environment and in search of jobs that cannot be outsourced. That’s the power of preservation!

Over the next nine days, YPA will release its Top Ten List, counting down from number ten, listed below. All Top Ten sites will be published in a special report. In addition, YPA will also release a new report, "Homage to the Fallen," which honors ten buildings we wish we had back.

YPA will release the reports at its Historic Preservation Month Celebration, "Old is the New Green," on Friday, May 21, at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Registration details are on YPA's website at http://www.youngpreservationists.org/

#10 Ambridge Theater

Built in 1915 as a sewing machine store, it was converted into a theater in 1967. It currently seats 167 people. The seats were purchased from the former Pittsburgh Playhouse during one of its renovations, and some of the equipment came from the former “Blue Sky” drive-in theater. It is the last remaining family-owned theater in Beaver County.

Ambridge has suffered lately, with the closure of its major National Historic Landmark, Old Economy Village, which only recently re-opened. But the town has lost many of its residents and young people. Still, there is a lot of vitality and great potential.

The building is in disarray and is in need of much repair. The original marquee has been lost, except for several remaining pieces due to fear of collapse a few years ago. The facility is in need of a new roof and renovation to the upstairs apartments. The fears of water damage affecting the main hall of the theatre are looming. The sound system is rather bare and is still running in mono. A major issue is the restrooms in the facility are not ADA compliant.

The community is proud to have this facility to call their own; unfortunately, crowds to the location are far from overwhelming, mainly due to appearance issues. The community has expressed great interest in seeing this theatre restored to its glory days and the need for a local historical entertainment venue is tremendous.