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Cannon Design

Cannon Design

August 13, 2012
Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Office of the Mayor
121 N LaSalle Street
5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602

Dear Mayor Emanuel,

The architectural fabric of Chicago is treasured by both the public and design building professions. Contributing to this rich tapestry is the combination of historic context and physical manifestation of architectural innovation. If innovation has been the bastion of the Chicago architectural scene since the first high rise was invented here, then an owner's ability to support such and make decisions how to use their property has been the foundation supporting that innovation.

Northwestern University owns the property on which the old Prentice Women's Hospital is built. The current discussion on the future of the property is clearly a visible one. As one of Chicago's largest and most significant architectural firms, we support an owner's right to use their property, within the legal bounds of the zoning and jurisdictional requirements, to the betterment of their mission.

It is through this lens that we stand in favor of Northwestern's right to move forward with their intentions to develop a new facility on the old Prentice Hospital site. We urge you to support the university's position.

Respectfully,

Charles Smith, AIA, LEED AP
Principal, Cannon Design