For the second consecutive year, Jefferson City's East Capitol Avenue Historic District was placed on the "Places in Peril" list as a historic area at risk of being lost.
The Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation annually creates the list of endangered historic places from around the state. The Jefferson City district remains on the list in an effort to recognize damage by the May 22 tornado and potentially lead to raising funds for improvement grants for the building owners, according to the MAHP news release.
MAHP officials acknowledge hard work has already been done by the Historic City of Jefferson, and it notes rehabilitation projects and architectural salvage efforts after the tornado will help future historic homeowners.
HCJ Executive Director Anne Green said the "Places in Peril" listing has a positive side.
"While it's unfortunate that Jefferson City has any building that qualifies for this list, we are optimistic that HCJ and others are moving the ball forward and making a difference in our community regarding historic preservation matters," Green said.
The Capitol Avenue Historic District includes more than 100 properties on nine city blocks, according to the news release. The buildings retain a high degree of integrity from its development period of 1830-1945. Structures show examples of Italianate, Queen Anne, Colonial, Gothic Revival and French Second Empire Styles, as well as more modern Spanish Revival, Craftsman and Art Deco representatives, the release states.
Green said historic tourism is gaining popularity and is an economic driver for the community. Tours of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary, which was damaged in the tornado, are scheduled to resume Oct. 1, she added.
"I think we're having more and more visitors to Jefferson City who are interested in the historic aspect of our city," she added. "So I think it's important that we save these places for the future."
More than 25 percent of the Capitol Avenue district consists of derelict properties.
The Jefferson City Council approved the East Capitol Avenue urban renewal zone in 2016 after a study declared the area blighted due to deteriorating conditions of properties. The area is bordered by East State, Lafayette and East High - including some parcels on the south side of East High Street - and Adams streets.
In 2016, the Parsons House, 105 Jackson St., was named on the "Places in Peril" list. This brought awareness to the building, Green said. Since then, HCJ has worked with the Jefferson City Housing Authority to obtain abandoned buildings.
The Housing Authority is looking for developers for 105 Jackson St. and other historic properties.
"The more attention you can get on these issues, the more likely it is that we're going to find a developer for these buildings and that they can be saved," Green said.
Extensive damage from the tornado and rain also resulted in demolition to some structures in the area.
Avenue HQ, 623 E. Capitol Ave., and the venue's office space at 621 E. Capitol Ave. were demolished earlier this month. Holly Stitt purchased the two buildings and 619 E. Capitol Ave. in 2012 after they sat vacant for 11 years.
The district's mention on the "Places in Peril" list is a good thing if it brings awareness to rebuild, Stitt said. She expects at least five other buildings in the area to be demolished, she said.
"The fact that two of my buildings were the first two that went down - and I have a third one that might be looking like it'll come down as well - it's a tough situation for me," Stitt said.
The city has a Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District in the area, which means owners of properties within the Capitol Avenue district must follow certain guidelines when rebuilding.
Stitt plans to rebuild at 623 E. Capitol Ave. to the exterior standard that was there previously, she said.
So far, 13 properties have been designated or determined to be dangerous since June 1 as a direct result of the tornado, Jayme Abbott, Jefferson City neighborhood services manager, previously told the News Tribune.
HCJ is accepting donations to help rebuild the district and improve the condition of the blighted properties. Donations of $100 or less will go toward exterior paint, donations of $750 will fund structural assessments of the building's viability, and donations of $2,000-$5,000 will be used to fund facade improvement grants.
The organization plans to award grants to property owners as early as January 2020. Funds are expected to be collected and distributed for at least the next five years, Green said.
People can donate at historiccityofjefferson.org or during HCJ's 14th annual Homes Tour on Forest Hill Avenue, scheduled Sunday.