NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE, MINI-HOSPITAL, GARAGE TO STAY
By Peter von Buol
Special to Inside
For 97 years, Ravenswood Hospital at Damen and Wilson avenues served Chicago's North Side, but for the past three years, its campus has been in a state of limbo. While two of the campus buildings continue to be used as medical buildings, a couple of others are now slated for either demolition or massive renovation.
At a public meeting held Thursday evening, Sept. 22, David J. Lehman of the development company Seay and Thomas discussed his company's plans for the 1.5 square block site. The meeting was sparsely attended: Only two local residents showed up. However, it was poorly advertised — giving only two days' notice — and difficult to find, giving the address "4500 N. Winchester Ave." and no specifics; participants had to walk around the outside of the building to locate lights shining through paper-covered windows, indicating an event within a certain room.
Lehman said the surrounding neighborhood will be transformed once the conversion from hospital campus into a mixed-use campus is completed. Plans have not been finalized as Lehman's company is still looking for a partner to help finance the project. The redevelopment project, Ravenswood Town Center, will include several residential buildings, a day care center, a small hospital, a medical office building and a multi-level 439-space parking garage.
The campus of the former Ravenswood Hospital currently consists of seven buildings. Under the redevelopment plan, four of the existing buildings will remain and will retain their current usage.
The former Adler Building, constructed in 1969 to serve as Ravenswood Hospital's main building, will be transformed into 95 residential units. A portion of the original Old Hospital building will also be renovated for residential use. The remainder of that building will be demolished and replaced with an 11-story residential tower. Combined, these buildings will contain 220 units of which 33 will be sold below market value as "affordable housing" to qualified buyers.
One of the residents at the meeting, Jeffrey A. Laird, who owns a commercial real estate sales company, said he was disappointed by the high density of the project and lamented that the new buildings were not going to be set back from the sidewalk.
Lehman responded that the high density was needed to meet Ald. Gene Schulter's (47th) insistence that the developer include affordable housing: hence, extra units for affordable housing, plus additional profitable units to make up for the minimal-profit affordable housing spots. Lehman also pointed out that the entire community would benefit from green space that will replace much of the concrete and asphalt to create a park-like atmosphere. Many trees will be planted throughout the property.
"We're going to add 100 new trees to the neighborhood," said Lehman. "It won't just be for residents. It will be for the enjoyment of all in the area."
Plans also include converting the site's 12-story apartment building into condominium units. The 88-unit tower was originally built in 1972 to provide housing for the hospital's medical staff and 59 of these units will be offered for sale as "affordable housing" at a price below market value.
Called an eyesore by Laird, the four-story 439-space parking garage will remain part of the campus. "The people put up with it because it was a hospital. Now that it no longer is a hospital, it should be torn down," said Laird. Lehman agreed that the parking garage has been unattractive but said he will consider ways to increase the "curb appeal" of a garage built in 1979.
Lehman also added that spaces continue to be used by those who visit the medical office building and the on-campus Neurological and Orthopedic Institute of Chicago. In addition, each condominium unit will include ownership of two parking spaces, which Lehman says will alleviate parking
congestion.
The Neurological and Orthopedic Institute of Chicago has kept Ravenswood Hospital's emergency room open but it has been downgraded. It is no longer part of the City of Chicago's 911 system and patients are only treated on a "walk-in" basis. The hospital, which is not affiliated with the Advocate Hospitals, operates as an 85-bed specialty-care hospital for those afflicted with
spinal injuries.
Inside contacted the Neurological and Orthopedic Institute for comments on the upcoming transformation of the campus, but repeated calls and emails were not returned. It's part of CINN, Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch.
Local resident Jerry O'Conner, who attended the meeting, said he was disappointed in the tiny turn-out, but agreed that there had not been an adequate notice given.
Lehman's development company purchased the campus directly from Ravenswood's parent organization, the Advocate Hospital Network. Advocate's board of directors closed the venerable facility after Advocate acquired the North Side-based Illinois Masonic Hospital. Ravenswood Hospital was started with financial assistance from the area's Protestant denominations. |
