It seems that, like the Communist Chinese government before them, that the government of the city of Chicago and its Olympic bid committee are practicing the same scorched earth policy when it comes to “site Prep”.
The Recent Past Preservation Network and The Gropius in Chicago Coalition report that “site prep” has begun at the site of the Walter Gropius designed/influenced Michael Reese Hospital complex. It seems that demolition contracts have already been awarded and that the grounds have been stripped of their Sasaki and Collins designed landscaping.
It would seem that, like the little badge “Flexfuel” on a Chevy Suburban, the Chicago Olympic Committee’s assurances that this would be a “Green” Olympics is just there to gain acceptance of the project by a greater number of the people of Chicago.
In our opinion the only “Green” way to proceed is the adaptive reuse of the complex. It is a little disconcerting to hear that even if Chicago is not awarded the games that the land may be sold off to developers. Maybe Chicago could have a line of phalluses like the on-hold Chicago Spire along the lakeshore? Is Michael Reese doomed because it is low and surrounded by, until the recent stripping, green park-like grounds? It could be that we have entered an era where public architecture is about a city standing up on its feet, thumping its chest and declaring to the world, “Oh yeah! You want soma dis!?”.
Mid century modernism doesn’t do that. That is not what the movement was/is about. That’s why we all need to defend it and save examples of it where ever we can.
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