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Sheet Metal Workers' Local 73

Sheet Metal Workers' Local 73

August 14, 2012

The Honorable Rahm Emanuel
Mayor, City of Chicago
121 N. La Salle Street
Chicago City Hall – 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602

Dear Mayor Emanuel:

On behalf of the Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 73 members of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, I am writing to strongly support Northwestern University’s plans to build a new medical research facility on the site where old Prentice hospital is located. A new building will enable Northwestern to continue to conduct important medical research into the causes and cures for cancer, heart disease and other medical problems.

In addition, construction of a new medical research building at that location will provide more than 1,000 badly needed construction jobs, just in the first phase of the development, and more than 2,500 construction jobs during the site’s build-out. At a time when construction continues to lag in the Chicago area, the Northwestern project promises to be a significant source of jobs for all of the building trades for many years to come. This project is critically important to the Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 73 and our 2,000 Chicago-area members.

Therefore, we request that the city of Chicago not give a landmark status to the old Prentice hospital building and instead approve a request for demolition of that building, once Northwestern makes that request. We are eager for this project to begin as soon as possible, and we ask for your full support.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Rocco Terranova
President and Business Manger
Sheet Metal Workers' Local 73