Expansion Plans for Advocate Lutheran General Hospital’s Cancer Center Approved

The Park Ridge Zoning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals approved several measures in June for Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. These approvals allow the expansion of its cancer treatment facility, transforming it into a comprehensive cancer center. The facility will centralize all aspects of cancer care, including diagnosis and treatment, within a single building.

Centralized Cancer Care

Allison Wyler, President of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, emphasized the benefits of a separate facility during a phone interview. She explained that having a dedicated space is more than just convenient. It is crucial for the safety of immunocompromised patients. Avoiding the general hospital environment reduces risks and provides a centralized location for all patient needs.

“There are elements of a cancer journey that are very predictable,” Wyler said. “And there are elements that are very specific to each patient. The environment we are going to be creating allows it to be very patient-centered and team-centered, to support the entire patient journey.”

Currently, services are spread across different areas of the hospital. The new facility will centralize these services by expanding the existing Center for Advanced Care at 1700 Luther Lane. This expansion will add 77,605 square feet to the existing 99,602-square-foot space by building two additional floors.

Zoning Variances

To accommodate the expansion, the hospital requested variations from zoning requirements related to parking lot islands and space for walls or fences. Developers proposed planting shrubs along the perimeter instead of installing a wall or fence. This approach, they argued, would create a more welcoming entryway while enhancing stormwater drainage.

Steve Gregory, a landscape architect, addressed the zoning board, stating the project exceeds required green space by about 10%. He believes the shrubs and additional greenery provide a calming effect for patients.

“It helps calm people down who are anxious about where they’re headed,” Gregory told the board of appeals.

The zoning board agreed with these proposals and approved the variances. With this approval, the next step involves the city council’s review, expected in July.

Future of the Comprehensive Center

This expansion follows the template of other comprehensive cancer centers within the Advocate network. Although Wyler could not predict patient numbers, she anticipates the center will become a destination for treatment. The center is expected to be completed by 2028.

Wyler also noted that the expansion is likely to create jobs. While the exact number of new positions remains unknown, the development is expected to boost employment in the area.

“There will be new jobs created as a result of this,” she said. “We absolutely will have jobs created because of this.”

Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.