Story posted Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Lifesource Eyes Bryn Mawr Office Opening
By TODD WESSELL Journal & Topics Editor
Glenview-based Lifesource and as many as 400 of its employees may soon be moving to a new four-story building in Rosemont once approval is granted, the Journal & Topics Newspapers has learned.
Established in 1987, Lifesource ITxM—which stands for Institute for Transfusion Medicine---is part of the fourth largest blood collection establishment in the nation and operates the largest blood center in Illinois with 22 donor centers including the one at its local headquarters on Milwaukee Avenue.
The building it wants to relocate to is situated on the west side of the Tri-State Tollway just south of Bryn Mawr Avenue. The building, owned by Duke Realty Limited Partnerships, was constructed in 2008. Next to it is a two-level 453-stall parking garage.
Members of the Rosemont Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 2 at village hall, 9501 Devon Ave., to consider issuing a Special Use Permit to allow Lifesource to operate in the village. The Special Use would allow laboratory space for blood testing; facilities for blood manufacturing, labeling, freezing, refrigerating, storage; facilities for the distribution of blood products; and facilities for the testing and storage of cord blood.
The local Lifesource operation distributes about half a million blood products annually to approximately 60 area hospitals. An estimated 10 blood drives are conducted in the area daily.
Duke Realty purchased the 16 acres that's north of Balmoral Avenue and east of Pearl Street in 2006. Prior to that, the site was home to a warehouse, which has since been demolished. Plans call for a new entrance to the facility to be built off of Bryn Mawr.
ITxM is the parent company of multiple corporate entities that includes Lifesource and Central Blood Bank, located in Pittsburgh, PA.
Tammy Basile, public relations manager for Lifesource, told the Journal & Topics Newspapers yesterday (Tuesday) that the company is not in a position to confirm any information related to project development adding, however, that the not-for-profit corporation is looking at various possibilities.
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