The construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago has ignited significant backlash from residents in the surrounding area, who are grappling with rising rent prices linked to the project. The center, which will house the digital archives from former President Barack Obama’s two terms, is set to open in April 2026 and has become a focal point for discussions about gentrification in the neighborhood.
In 2018, the Obama Foundation secured a 99-year lease for 19.3 acres of land in Jackson Park. Central to the development is a striking 225-foot tall concrete tower that some residents have dubbed the “Tower of Babel.” Critics argue that the project symbolizes a broader issue of displacement within the community.
Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor has been vocal about her concerns, emphasizing the lack of a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). A CBA is a legal contract that developers sign to ensure that projects protect affordable housing, promote environmental sustainability, and create local job opportunities. “We’re going to see rents go higher and we’re going to see families displaced,” Taylor stated. “Every time large development comes to communities, they displace the very people they say they want to improve it for.”
Residents are already feeling the impact of these developments. Kyana Butler, an active member of several local advocacy groups, noted that rental prices are escalating rapidly. “Rents are going up fast,” Butler reported. “A two-bedroom apartment that used to rent for $800 a month has already jumped to $1,800.” She also mentioned that increasing property taxes are causing landlords to consider selling their buildings, further jeopardizing affordable housing options.
Adding to the local concerns, plans are underway for a new 26-story, 250-room luxury hotel in close proximity to the Obama Presidential Center. The developer, Allison Davis of Aquinnah Investment Trust, is known to have strong ties to former President Obama, raising questions about the motivations behind these developments.
Residents have expressed discontent not only about rising costs but also about the aesthetic impact of the center. Ken Woodard described the structure as an eyesore, stating it “feels like a washing away of the neighborhood and culture that used to be here.” He further remarked, “It looks like this big piece of rock that just landed here out of nowhere in what used to be a really nice landscape of trees and flowers. It’s a monstrosity.”
The project was initially estimated to cost $330 million, but costs have surged to an estimated $830 million as of 2021. Originally scheduled to open in 2021, the timeline has faced delays attributed to the Obama Foundation’s adoption of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates and training sessions.
Even former President Donald Trump has weighed in on the construction struggles, critiquing the delays. “Look, President Obama, if he wanted help, I’d give him help because I’m a really good builder and I build on time, on budget. He’s building his library in Chicago. It’s a disaster,” Trump remarked.
As the Obama Presidential Center nears its opening date, residents remain concerned about its long-term implications for their community. The dialogue surrounding the project highlights the challenges of balancing development with the preservation of neighborhood integrity and affordability.
