Delays and Displacement Cloud Obama Center

The Obama Presidential Center, an $850 million project under construction in Chicago’s Jackson Park, is facing mounting criticism from community members, activists, and even some longtime supporters who say the development is contributing to rising rents, displacement, and gentrification on the city’s South Side.

The 19.3-acre facility, set to open in April 2026, has been promoted by the Obama Foundation as a cultural and community hub that will include a 225-foot museum tower, gardens, athletic facilities, event spaces, and a branch of the Chicago Public Library. Unlike traditional presidential libraries, it will not house original documents, but rather digital archives of materials from the Obama administration. The project is also notable for being entirely privately funded, supported by major donors including Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey, and George Soros.

Despite the foundation’s vision of a welcoming space, residents have expressed concern about the impact on surrounding neighborhoods. Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor, whose ward includes much of the project area, has voiced support for the center’s mission but warned that it risks pushing families out. “We’re going to see rents go higher and we’re going to see families displaced,” Taylor said, adding that the city should have secured a Community Benefits Agreement to guarantee protections such as affordable housing and local hiring before construction began.

Local residents have echoed these concerns. Attorney Ken Woodard, who grew up nearby, described the center as disruptive, calling it “over budget” and “a monstrosity” that will alter the neighborhood’s character. Activist Tyrone Muhammad, director of Ex-Cons for Community and Social Change, has criticized the center as being disconnected from the community it was meant to serve, while residents like Kyana Butler said rising rents — some doubling within a few years — are already straining families.

The center has also become a target for critics beyond the community. Former President Donald Trump has derided the project as a “disaster,” while conservative commentator Steve Cortes has questioned its design, costs, and delays, labeling it “a monument to one man’s ego.” Others have taken issue with its appearance, with some describing it as a stark departure from Chicago’s celebrated architectural traditions.

Construction delays have fueled further frustration. Originally scheduled to open in 2021, the center has faced repeated setbacks and is now projected to be completed in 2026. Workers have cited a range of contributing factors, from shifting policies to lengthy diversity and inclusion training sessions. One construction foreman, speaking anonymously, described the building as unusually fortified, noting blast-rated walls and windows, which he said were unlike anything he had seen in nearly four decades in the industry.

In response to the criticism, the Obama Foundation released a statement highlighting the center’s broader benefits, calling it “a tremendous global destination and public community asset” that will bring jobs, a playground, a restaurant, and green space to the area. The foundation emphasized its commitment to hiring local residents during construction and once the facility opens.

As the opening date approaches, debate over the Obama Presidential Center continues to divide opinion. Supporters see it as a landmark investment that will draw global visitors to Chicago’s South Side, while critics fear it will accelerate displacement and alter the cultural fabric of the community it was meant to uplift.