Illinois Charitable Eye & Ear Infirmary
135 South Sangamon Street

The 2nd Ward needs a new park, and has been promised one by Alderman Madeline Haithcock. The residents are eager for it, and understandably so. However, Preservation Chicago strongly objects to what the City planners have decided to sacrifice in order to create this new park: A unique building that is both architecturally and historically significant. The building is located at the Northeast corner of Sangamon and Adams, and is the Orange-rated Illinois Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary.

The proposed city park is located in a section of the city that contains many suitable sites for such an improvement. Non-contributing buildings and surface parking lots abound in the area, which has suffered numerous demolitions of historic buildings over the years.

Furthermore, if this site is truly the only option for a new park, the existing building can be retained for the benefit of all parties involved. The Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary occupies roughly 1/3 of its half-block site on West Adams Street, with the remaining 2/3 in use for parking and green space. Preservation Chicago believes that the presence of this historic building on the site presents a unique opportunity. Restored to its original dignified presence, it could be used to carry on yet another great Chicago tradition, the one in which architecturally strong, graceful field houses were built to provide a public service amidst the expansive beauty of our city parks.

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