Blair Kamin, architecture critic for the Chicago Tribune, today interviewed Jim Peters of Landmarks Illinois and Jonathan Fine of Preservation Chicago, leading architectural advocacy groups in the Chicago region. 

Last Friday, the City of Chicago put forth a request for demolition bids for the entire former Michael Reese Hospital campus, including the original hospital building, which had previously been preserved in the Olympic Village master plan.  The preservation community has been abuzz since the unexpected publication of the announcement, which seeks to clear the site almost immediately after the City takes final possession of the land this summer.

According to Jim Peters,

“This fast-track demolition scheme seems extremely premature.  No reuse studies have been done for any of the existing buildings. Demolition of the original [1907] building—one of the city’s most significant early hospital designs—violates the Olympic Village plans, which showed retention. And the recent research into the role of Walter Gropius in this campus design calls for study, not fast-track demolition.

“We have been cautious about fighting the city over these Olympic sites—hoping to work out solutions to conflicts during the planning process. However, this proposed demolition action forces our hand. Throwing away these resources without careful study would be foolhardy.”

Preservation Chicago, which has already listed Michael Reese on its Chicago Seven list of endangered buildings, expressed similar dismay.  Describing the process as an “erase and replace” scheme, Fine notes:

“Obviously, we’re shocked and disappointed.  But I can’t really say that this is a surprise because there have been rumors going around that demolition of the entire campus was going to occur in the summer. And when we met with [Chicago Olympic officials], when we asked about that rumor, it was neither denied or confirmed.”

To read the full article by Blair Kamin, please see his on-line journal.