January 15, 2010 :: Business, Community, LPCC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LPCC Statement: Lincoln Park Hospital Redevelopment

For Immediate Release

Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce Statement: Lincoln Park Hospital Redevelopment
Site Provides Opportunity for Economic Development

CHICAGO (January 13, 2010) – After Lincoln Park Hospital closed their doors in 2008 the site has been an abandoned eyesore in the community.  With land in the Lincoln Park neighborhood being both sparse and valuable, the future of the site has been the subject of community input, and in many cases, outcry.  The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) is carefully following the draft redevelopment plans, community reaction and business impact of the proposal.

“The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce supports a redevelopment plan that considers adaptive reuse, stimulates job growth and economic development, and provides retail and office space – in addition to senior and condominium housing – offered at a responsible size and price,” said Kim Schilf, LPCC President and CEO.  “The LPCC welcomes and encourages community input from businesses and residents alike to ensure the easiest transition for the new development – whatever the final product may look like.

“Lincoln is one of the neighborhood’s key commercial corridors, offering boutiques, restaurants and more to residents, visitors and employees of local establishments,” Schilf said.  “While the global economic landscape has been difficult on many businesses in the immediate area surrounding the Lincoln Park Hospital site, it is the belief of the LPCC that the right project will spur further spending and economic development in the community.”

According to the developers’ presentation, the proposal as it stands now calls for five key components, include: a maximum of 40 condos on the site of the Grant Street Building; 170 units of senior housing; high-end residential condominiums; underground and garage parking; retail and office space; and two single-family homes

“Not only will a redevelopment project lead to increased jobs in the construction field, but the retail, office and senior housing components will require hundreds of jobs to meet the proposed need,” Schilf continued.  “The resulting job creation will have a spill-over effect at local shops and restaurants desperate for a new customer base.  The LPCC will continue to work to provide sustainable vitality to the businesses and residents who call Lincoln Park home.”

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