Old County redevelopment starts ...

07/16/2010 3:42 PM

By Micah Maidenberg
Editor

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Chicago Journal file photograph

On July 13, county government, through its office of capital planning and policy, released a request for proposals seeking a firm to shepherd an anticipated $126 million remake of the historic old Cook County hospital building at 1835 W. Harrison.
Among the duties those interested in applying must undertake:

  • "complete redevelopment of the hospital, including "rehabilitation of interiors and exterior and redevelopment of Pasteur Park";
  • demolition of a tunnel between the hospital and the Fantus Clinic;
  • demolition of a one-story structure on the west end of the building;
  • design of all other exterior, parking, traffic and green space issues;

The hospital, the RFP notes, is "listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the [redevelopment] will be designed and constructed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation."
In March, members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to save the old county building, ending years of wrangling about its future. Medical offices were seen as the building's future use.
The county is banking on receiving tax increment financing dollars for the project from the city, but those funds haven't been appropriated.
The new request for proposal says the developer must be able coordinate with a flurry of government agencies including the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the Secretary of the Interior, the Illinois Medical District, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Department of Public health, the City of Chicago's building and zoning departments and the city's TIF program.


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