Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects-designed, in collaboration with Interactive Design Architects, the Obama Presidential Center moves forward following the U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey dismissed the lawsuit started by the group of Protect Our Parks. 

According to an article by Chicago Tribune, Blakey’s 52-page written report shows why he didn’t buy into the argument from the plaintiff, Protect Our Parks, that the project shouldn’t be allowed on public property because it would not be an asset to the broader public.

"Unconvincingly, Plaintiffs attempt to twist this public benefit into a private purpose, arguing that the Museum’s mission merely ‘seeks to preserve and enhance the legacy of the former President and his wife,"  the judge Blakey wrote.

Image courtesy of Obama Foundation

The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago's Jackson Park faced with an initial lawsuit by the group of Protect Our Parks and the construction was halted from start due to the pending lawsuit brought forward by Protect Our Parks. 

Now, the U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey's decision shows that there is a significant step to start construction and dismissing the lawsuit. 

"Both sides have been given an opportunity to have a full and fair hearing," the judge said. "I have not permitted needless delay. I have asked the parties to work with expediency and they have done so."

"Even though this might be an important case, it’s not a difficult case. The park should … be considered for what it is — a park and not a nature preserve,” he said.

Image courtesy of Obama Foundation

The planned $500 million  Obama Presidential Center will sit on a 20-acre campus. The new campus is composed of three major buildings - the Presidential Museum, the Forum and the Library - which are integrated into Jackson Park, a historic park in the heart of the South Side of Chicago, the community the Obamas call home.

"We are thrilled with the City’s victory and grateful to all of those in Chicago and beyond who have believed in this project and made their voices heard every step of the way," said Obama Foundation CEO David Simas.

"Our vision for the Obama Presidential Center has always been one where the location reinforces the project’s core aims: a celebration of history, a place of connection and engagement for the public, and an investment in community," Simas added.

Image courtesy of Obama Foundation

First lawsuit was filed by Protect Our Parks in May 2018 and three other community groups against both the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District. The group claimed that the Obama Foundation’s plan to place the Obama Presidential Center in the Olmsted and Vaux–designed Jackson Park was illegal. 

Protect Our Parks argued that since the OPC wouldn’t actually be a government-run presidential library but a privately-run museum tower with parking, a training center, and 5,000-square-foot Chicago Public Library location, the land transfer from the city to the Obama Foundation was invalid.

Hovewer, Blakey ruled that the public benefits offered by the Obama Presidential Center would constitute a public good and merit the land transfer.

Image courtesy of Obama Foundation

The OPC added that "surely provides a multitude of benefits to the public. It will offer a range of cultural, artistic, and recreational opportunities…as well as provide increased access to other areas of Jackson Park and the Museum of Science and Industry." 

After this ruling, Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a statement in favor of building the OPC in Jackson Park. "Chicago is where President Obama discovered his love for community service, and the Obama Presidential Center will honor his presidency and inspire the next generation of leaders. The court today made unequivocally clear that this project may be located in Jackson Park, marking a significant step forward in this historic project and for our entire city," said Lightfoot. 

"I am committed to ensuring that this community hub creates unprecedented cultural opportunities and economic growth on the South Side. I look forward to working with community stakeholders and the Obama Foundation to ensure that neighboring communities share in this growth. Toward that important end, I look forward to meeting with community stakeholders and the Obama Foundation to resolve remaining issues so that the benefits of this important project can be shared by all."

With the first lawsuit, the group of Protect Our Parks was hoping to force the Obama Foundation to move the Center to a privately-owned lot to the southwest. After this decision, Protect Our Parks announced that they will appeal the ruling.

Even if this ruling is approved by each parties, the OPC project still needs to pass a federal review for placing a 20-acre project into a park listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"Today’s ruling, while disappointing, is by no means the final word," said Charles A. Birnbaum, president and CEO of The Cultural Landscape Foundation, in a statement. The Foundation is an “official consulting party” in the federal review process and has made its opposition to siting the OPC in Jackson Park clear. 

"Though the carefully orchestrated local approvals process has been enabled by pliant municipal officials, there are still federal-level reviews underway for this nationally significant work of landscape architecture that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places."

Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects first revealed design in 2017 and the design was revised after public feedback. 

Top image courtesy of DBOX

> via The OPC & City of Chicago