Judge Neil Cohen of the Cook County Circuit Court dismissed the complaint of preservationists hoping to save Prentice Women’s Hospital from demolition today. Preservationists had said that a November 2012 decision from the Chicago Commission on Landmarks to revoke the hospital’s final landmark status was illegal.
The University released a statement from Eugene Sunshine, senior vice president for business and finance that expressed the school’s appreciation of “the thoughtful consideration given by Judge Cohen to this issue.”
However, Judge Cohen also offered 30 days to preservationists to amend their complaint, though according to the Chicago Tribune, “Cohen strongly hinted he would be hard-pressed to give it permanent protection.” Sunshine’s statement makes no mention of this 30-day window.
Instead, the statement goes on to describe its plan for the new biomedical research facility, which will connect to the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and aims to become “the linchpin for what will be a major new medical research hub."
”The University also will maintain its partnerships with the city and the Streeterville community on ways that Northwestern can continue to benefit both the neighborhood and the University’s students, faculty and staff on our Chicago campus,” the statement read.