As the shiny new Parkland Memorial Hospital takes shape on Harry Hines Boulevard, its aging predecessor across the street is starting to look more attractive as well. In recent months, officials at the county hospital are reconsidering whether they should abandon 1 million square feet of space deemed too obsolete for medical use. The oldest parts of the hospital, which date to the mid-1950s, seemed poised for demolition until Parkland administrators realized they should convert some of the space to new uses. "The old hospital rooms are too small for patients but would make pretty nice offices," said Lou Saksen, Parkland's senior vice president for hospital development.
