Preservationists Drop Lawsuit To Save Historic Prentice Women's Hospital

By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 14, 2013 7:00PM



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The coalition of preservationists that had been fighting to keep Historic Prentice Women’s Hospital from being demolished by Northwestern University has withdrawn its lawsuit challenging the Commission on Chicago Landmarks’ decision to not grant landmark status to the Bertrand Goldberg-designed building.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation and Landmarks Illinois said the fight to keep Historic Prentice around had run its course.

We continue to believe there were significant flaws with the process that granted and then removed landmark protection for Prentice. However, we feel that the landmarks process has run its course. When challenging issues come before the Landmarks Commission, all parties share an obligation to provide honest input, consider reuse alternatives and respect the ordinances and procedures. We continue to support the practical reuse options available to Northwestern University that will grow Chicago’s economy and preserve its world-class architectural and cultural heritage. At its core, preservation helps cities grow and prosper. It creates jobs, boosts local economies, helps reduce our carbon footprint, and makes cities more dynamic, appealing and attractive. Members of the Save Prentice Coalition have a long history of working in partnership with the City of Chicago on a wide range of preservation issues, and we look forward to continuing this work.

The Landmarks Commission denied granting landmark status to Historic Prentice last week after a Cook County judge, while siding with the city in the lawsuit filed by preservationists, said the process by which they originally denied landmark status was not a transparent process.

Northwestern University, which owns the hospital, has plans in place to raze the structure and build a state-of-the-art biomedical research facility. The university, which owns 40 percent of real estate in Streeterville, has championed demolishing Historic Prentice as a jobs creator, as have area business leaders and chambers of commerce.

Save Prentice Statement - FINAL by