Here's What We Know About the Old Elmhurst Hospital Campus on Berteau

If there seems to be some mystery surrounding the former Elmhurst Memorial Hospital property on Berteau, that's probably because a deal has not yet been made with a developer. Elmhurst residents are speculating about who might take over that property, but as of yet, there is no official word.

Susan Rose is a member of the Neighborhood Advisory Committee, which was formed nearly 20 years ago to resolve any conflicts that might arise between the hospital and its neighbors. The group still is is working with the hospital as it navigates its new purpose.

While Rose has missed a couple of meetings because she was out of town this summer, she has kept in contact with the hospital and committee members regarding the property. Rose said on Thursday that the hospital is working with a national homebuilder to develop the site, and it is hoping to demolish the old building sometime in the next six months. She said the hospital has been doing materials testing and investigating the environmental impacts of demolition.

"They're not going to do demolition until they know exactly what's there," she said. "And, they can't convey any property unless they know for sure it's a clean property (and meets Environmental Protection Agency standards)."

Rose said the name of the builder has not been shared with the Neighborhood Advisory Committee, and when contacted earlier this summer about the project, 3rd Ward aldermen Dannee Polomsky and Michael Bram said they didn't have much new information either. Hospital public relations manager Polly Lleras also said there was nothing new to report at that time. 

"We told our Berteau neighbors that we have been in discussions with potential buyers, but that no decisions have been made and we will continue to assess our options," Lleras said in late June.

It's not unusual to keep a company name private while negotiations are under way, Rose said.

"It makes sense that they wouldn't (release information) until they get something closer to an actual deal," she said.

The hospital in fall 2011 was looking at a joint partnership to offer senior health and housing services, including expanded transitional care, assisted living and independent living. 

That deal fell through about a year ago, however, when the company, Belmont Village, said the city's building codes were excessively strict.

Rose said she was "really sorry that didn't go through." She said while building code issues were the stated reason for abandoning the deal, "there may have been other factors, but I don't know what they were."

As recently as Wednesday, two Elmhurst Park commissioners expressed a desire to investigate using a portion of the property for stormwater retention. 

But in the meantime, while development is on hold, the last remaining services there, the hospital's Cancer Center, will be relocated to the main hospital campus on Brush Hill Road. That move should be complete this fall, according to Lleras. She said more information will be shared as it becomes available. 

Rose said the next neighborhood meeting will be held some time in September, but she is not yet aware of a date.

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