The push to preserve Brooklyn's industrial waterfront gained steam Thursday with help from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The private organization announced the area has made its annual list of 11 most-endangered places in the United States. The nonprofit group is joining forces with other groups to ensure new development doesn't destroy historic buildings along the East River.

"Brooklyn's future should not be about clear cutting the past, but about making the past part of the future," Dennis Ward, of the Waterfront Preservation Alliance, said.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is calling on the city to preserve the waterfront by encouraging housing developers to reuse old buildings, like the vacant Dominos sugar plant.

The prominent organization maintains now is the time to act because zoning laws are allowing for bigger buildings to be constructed in the area.

The group points to Ellis Island, which was formerly on its list, as a shining example of why restoration is worth while.