By Mary Corrado
Editor
Children's Memorial Hospital (CMH) last fall announced their intentions to explore options for building a replacement hospital — possibly outside of Lincoln Park — and they have now reduced the possible destinations from 25 to five. The CMH Facilities Subcommittee is looking for a site somewhere within the following borders: Lake Shore Dr. on the east, the Kennedy Expressway on the west, the Chicago River on the south and Belmont Ave. on the north. Neighbors have often suggested CMH should take over the shuttered Columbus Hospital at 2520 N. Lakeview Ave. adjacent to Lincoln Park, and that is believed to be among the five finalists under consideration. Plans for a large residential development by Invsco at the Columbus Hospital site have been placed on hold indefinitely.
The world famous and well-loved children's hospital located at Fullerton Ave. and Halsted St. has been located in Lincoln Park for over 100 years. It now plans a replacement building with a footprint of up to 130,000 square feet and with 343 private rooms. The cost estimate ranges from $600 to $800 million, with $400 million anticipated from a fund-raising campaign. "We need the best location that's convenient for our patients, their families and our 3,000 plus staff, and one that allows us to grow needed clinical programs for years to come," said Kathleen Ellis, communications manager for CMH.
While all CMH property is under consideration, hospital management is reluctant to consider rebuilding their flagship tower on Lincoln and Fullerton avenues due to the disruption it will cause to patient care. The current property sits on 3.5 acres. It is possible that some or all of this site will be sold to help fund the new construction.
Other sites reportedly on the short list are: a site next to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Streeterville; a site east of Elston Ave. and south of Fullerton Ave.; a site at Halsted and Kinzie streets; an unknown site in Lincoln Park. |
