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<p>What’s next for old Cook County Hospital?</p>
<p>You’ll have to wait a while to find out.</p>
<p>The county board’s construction committee agreed yesterday to defer voting on a $107 million rehabilitation of the old hospital until it gets a consensus opinion from the Cook County Health and Hospitals System board.</p>
<p>The hospital could be turned into office space for health system administrators. The building that currently houses the administration is out-of-date and due to be demolished.</p>
<p>When Stroger Hospital opened in 2002, plans called for the demolition of Cook County Hospital. Today that would cost about $3 million, according to Bruce Washington, the county's director of capital planning. To preserve the historic façade of the building would cost more than $85 million. It would cost that much build a new structure on the land.</p>
<p>“I think this has the potential to redevelop this building for the least amount of county dollars,” said Commissioner Larry Suffredin. “I think for Cook County to preserve it would be a major accomplishment and show our respect for the past.”</p>
<p>But some commissioners were cold to the idea of preserving the 95-year-old building, which is a state landmark and protected by the city.</p>
<p>“I think we are wasting $20 million to save the façade. It’s ridiculous,” said Commissioner Jerry Butler, who also serves on the health board. “Personally, I think the health system’s board would love to see it go, but won’t tell you.”</p>
<p>“I’ve never had someone come to Chicago and say I want to go see Stroger Hospital,” said Commissioner John Daley.</p>
<p>Even health system CEO William Foley wasn’t wild about the idea of renovating County.</p>
<p>“As far as we’re concerned, you can tear it down and let us use the space. But I recognize the efforts that are underway,” he said. “We need to have space for the health system’s offices, so that’s one concern. If I had my way, tear it down.”</p>
2009-11-18T06:30:00-06:00
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Some would rather see the 95-year-old building torn down.
Vote on future of old County Hospital deferred
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