The Obama Presidential Center, located in Chicago's Jackson Park, will open to the public on Juneteenth after nearly a decade of planning and construction. This $850 million project, the most expensive presidential center to date, aims to be more than a traditional library, emphasizing community engagement and a "living, breathing legacy" according to Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett. The campus spans nearly 20 acres and includes 3.7 acres of new parkland.
The centerpiece of the campus is a 225-foot granite museum tower, which houses a four-story museum. Unlike previous presidential libraries, this will be the first fully digital museum, featuring high-tech and hands-on exhibits that cover Obama's political ascent, campaigns, key moments of his presidency, and life in the White House. It includes a life-sized replica of the Oval Office and displays personal items from the Obamas, such as Michelle Obama's Target outfits and Barack Obama's Nobel Prize. Admission to the museum tower is $30 for adults, making it the highest-priced presidential museum ticket in the U.S., though discounts are available for Illinois residents.
The center's campus also includes a new branch of the Chicago Public Library, an auditorium, public art installations, athletic facilities including a full-size basketball court, and a picnic area with grills. Most of these public spaces are free to access. The physical presidential records are not stored at the center but are instead maintained by the National Archives in College Park, Maryland, with the Obama Foundation contributing $5 million towards digitizing efforts. The center is projected to attract between 750,000 to 1 million visitors annually, aiming to be an economic engine for the South Side of Chicago.
Controversies included the choice of historic Jackson Park and the transfer of nearly 20 acres of park land to the Obama Foundation for $10, which led to lawsuits and a lengthy federal review process. Initial predictions in 2016 estimated a 2021 opening and a $500 million cost, which eventually rose to $850 million. Despite some mixed reviews on the museum tower's design, Valerie Jarrett refers to it as a "beacon of hope" rather than a monument.
