After undergoing a four-year-long meticulous federal review process, the Obama Foundation on February 3rd, 2021 announced their plan to initiate groundbreaking for the Obama Presidential Center at the historic Jackson Park, in the city of Chicago. The Obama Foundation has commissioned Tod Billie William Tsien Architects | Partners (TBWTA) as the lead design team as well as Interactive Design Architects (IDEA) as their partners for the much-anticipated project.

North-facing view of the Obama Presidential Center campus in Jackson Park. Image courtesy of The Obama Foundation

The Obama Presidential Center aims at providing a platform to empower, inspire and connect future leaders in Chicago as well as globally. The OPC campus will include a celebratory museum that foregrounds the dedicated work of a diverse group of people working towards public interest along with underlining the hurdles and accomplishments of the Obama administration as well as focus on the influence of the Southside Chicago in shaping President’s outlook towards the world. It will not only be a new destination on the Southside that pays an ode to history but also is a carved path for aspiring leaders.

The northern facade of the Museum building, as viewed from Stony Island Avenue. Image courtesy of The Obama Foundation

In addition to the museum, the OPC Campus will also include a Public Library, an Athletic center, Open green spaces for community gatherings, a Children's play area, a vegetable garden in adulation to Mrs. Obama’s garden in the White House as well as many more public inclusive spaces.

The new branch of the Chicago Public Library at the Obama Presidential Center. Image courtesy of The Obama Foundation

The Women's garden. Image courtesy of The Obama Foundation

The Obama Foundation estimates the total construction cost of the center and parkland on-site development to be approximately $500 Million with a tentative ‘construction completion’ time frame of four years. The Foundation is also determined to enhance the key features of Jackson park by investing in long term sustainability and aims at embracing Olmsted’s vision of a pedestrian-friendly and cohesive park that is situated amidst a thriving biodiverse habitat. According to an economic impact study, the proposed center will act as a catalyst for the economic development of the area by attracting 700,000 visitors from around the world and have a financial impact of about $3.1 billion.

Chicago Mayor Lori. E Lightfoot in a statement said, "Upon completion, the Obama Presidential Center will serve as an economic and cultural nucleus for our city’s historic South Side, in addition to attracting visitors from all over our city and around the world, the OPC will also bring in new businesses and create new jobs – providing residents in the surrounding communities with the resources they need to lead happy, fulfilled and stable lives. Thus, the OPC’s impact will stretch beyond the borders of its campus and, in conjunction with other nearby capital improvements, it will ensure the long-term, economic prosperity of our South Side communities."

The Wetland Walk. Image courtesy of The Obama Foundation

In addition, the center is also committed to create opportunities for diverse vendors and benefit the community. It is estimated that the center shall create around 5000 direct and indirect jobs pre-and post-construction. The Obama foundation along with the construction manager Lakeside Alliance, have already commenced recruiting efforts to ensure a diverse workforce and create accessible work opportunities.

Thus with the aim to offer a face to the South Side of Chicago, creating Jobs and strengthen sustainability, the work towards the Obama Presidential Center has been initiated in full swing. The city of Chicago has already commenced the pre-construction work and hopes to breathe a new life into the park that benefits the community and city, the Obamas called home.

The Children’s Play Area. Image courtesy of The Obama Foundation

The Great Lawn At Dusk. Image courtesy of The Obama Foundation

The Great Lawn in Winter. Image courtesy of The Obama Foundation

In a special video message released by the Obama Foundation, President Obama said: "From the beginning, Michelle and I knew there was only one place for the Obama Presidential Center: the South Side of Chicago. It’s where I met Michelle. Just a couple miles from where she grew up. Where Sasha and Malia were born. Where I became a community organizer and won my first election.

The past 12 months have been among the most challenging in our history. I know they’ve hit Chicago hard, particularly for residents on the South and West sides who have shouldered devastating health consequences from COVID-19, faced higher unemployment rates, and more.

But hopefully, 2021 offers a turning point for our nation and our city. And we also hope that the groundbreaking of the Obama Presidential Center can be an important part of that change.

The Center will create jobs and economic opportunity, especially for South Side residents—because we believe the team that’s building the Center should look like the community it calls home. And through the museum, the Center will be a place to honor history while inspiring young people to write chapters of their own — giving them the tools, resources, and connections they need to create change in their own communities.

Today, with the conclusion of a careful federal review process that spanned several years, we’re ready to get to work. Through this process, we’ve shown that our plans for the Obama Presidential Center—including new gardens, playgrounds, walking trails, and bike paths for all to enjoy—won’t just preserve historic Jackson Park, they’ll bring opportunity and breathe new life into the community we love.

Getting to this point wouldn’t have been possible without the folks in the community who have been a part of this process along the way. Michelle and I want to thank you for making this project even better. A space for the community, built in partnership with the community. We know that by working together, we can unlock the South Side’s fullest potential—and help set up our city, our country, and our world for even better years still to come.

Thanks, everybody. We look forward to seeing you soon."

Cover Image: Tha Plaza From Above. Image © The Obama Foundation

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