City to accept proposals for former Michael Reese Hospital site

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The former site of Chicago's Michael Reese Hospital in the city's Bronzeville neighborhood will finally be redeveloped.

The hospital was once the largest in Chicago. The city tore it down in 2010 as part of an unsuccessful bid for the 2016 Olympics. Since then, the land has been vacant.

The mayor's office announced Friday the city will start accepting proposals for a mixed-use development.

City Planning Commissioner David Reifman said it could have a major economic impact on the South Side.

"This is almost 80 acres on the lake, immediately south of downtown, with connection to Hyde Park. With the development we're seeing on the South Side, the Presidential Center going further south in Jackson Park, I think it's the missing link to significant lakefront development on the South Side," Reifman said.

The city will start accepting proposals Oct. 12.