CHICAGO (CBS) – Mayor Rahm Emanuel is not choosing sides in the battle over what to do with the building on Northwestern University’s Chicago campus that was Prentice Women’s Hospital – at least not publicly – and seems to be trying to play peacemaker in the debate between the university and preservationists.

WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports Northwestern wants to demolish the historic hospital designed by architect Bertrand Goldberg, and has launched a design competition to replace it with a new biomedical research facility.

Preservationists want to save and reuse the distinctive clover-leaf like building, and want landmark designation for the site.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports

The mayor has met with both sides, and suggests he wants to play peacemaker.

“I am taking the recommendations of the neighborhood back to Northwestern and to the architects. It is part of a conversation that I think I want to see all the parties work together,” he said.

But, while Emanuel said Streeterville residents have some good ideas, he is not saying they should be adopted, only that their concerns should be addressed.

“I thought the neighborhood individuals and organizations had good recommendations, that I will now take to Northwestern, as well as to the architects, and see if they can be addressing this,” he said.