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Despite
Years of Protests, the effort to save one of the nation’s most historic hospital
structures continues to be ignored. In Fall 2003, after promising to send a
Request for Proposal to interested developers, Cook County officials instead
invited bids to demolish the block-long Cook County Hospital, which had been
vacant since early 2003. The demolition estimates range from $9.7 to $13.6
million, not including asbestos removal.
Based on widespread public opposition
to the proposed demolition of the Old Cook County Hospital Building (1400 W.
Harrison, Chicago), the Cook County Board voted in late 2004 to delay issuance
of a demolition contract for the 1912 Beaux Arts-style structure. In February 2005, the board
authorized a $1.4 million consultant study to consider the long-term space needs
for the hospital campus. That report, which was issued in October 2005,
concluded that the historic structure was structurally sound and could be
readily adapted for medical office space, for which there was a clearly
demonstrated need.
However, the report concluded by
recommending that the former hospital should still be demolished and replaced
with a newly constructed office building.
Cook County Hospital Beaux Arts-Style Facade
(click for full-size images}
The
topic of Cook County Hospital has been on LPCI’s agenda for several years, since
shortly after the plans for the new Stroger Hospital were first announced. It
has been listed to our 2001,
2003 and 2004 Ten Most Endangered Historic
Places in Illinois and to our
2002 Chicagoland Watch List.
Cook County Hospital , Chicago
A detailed
reuse plan, featuring design
solutions and construction estimates, was prepared by LPCI in April 2003 and was
widely distributed to public officials and developers.
Proposed Cook County Hospital 1st Floor Site Plan, Antunovich Associates
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Take Action!
Several members of the
Cook County Board of Commissioners have questioned the wisdom of spending
tens of millions of taxpayers’ dollars to tear down this irreplaceable
structure.
In order to convince other county board members to reconsider demolition—and to
consider other options—public pressure is needed. It is important to tell
elected officials where you stand.
Here's How!
 send a short letter to:
Todd H. Stroger, President
Cook County Board
118 N. Clark St.
Room 500
Chicago, IL 60602
 Or email
cook county board president Todd H. STroger at:
pamatel@
cookcountygov.com
Sample Text
For Letter:
I oppose using taxpayers’ money to demolish the former Cook County Hospital.
I urge the Cook County Board to truly explore reuse possibilities that would
save public dollars, generate more revenue for the county, and preserve this
historic building.
EMAIL
TEXT
Remember!
In order to convince other county board members to reconsider demolition — and
to consider other options — public pressure is needed! |
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Although the Cook County Hospital reuse plan has generated widespread media attention, developer
interest, and public support for saving this still-structurally sound building,
the Cook County Board has not actively sought any redevelopment proposals.
According to county officials, the site’s proposed use will either be open space
or construction of yet-to-be-determined “future medical-related uses.”
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architecture
The Cook County Hospital
two-block-long structure, dating to 1913-16, was designed by Paul Gerhardt and
Richard Schmidt. In addition to its impressive Beaux Arts-style façade,
with three-story, fluted Ionic columns, the
building’s history includes numerous medical advancements, including the first
blood bank, indigent care, and modern emergency room procedures.
A quote from Pasteur is inscribed on the hospital's stone wall; "One doesn't ask
of one who suffers: What is your country and what is your religion? One merely
says, You suffer. That is enough for me. You belong to me and I
shall help you."
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