The Obama Foundation has announced that city crews are planning to begin relocating utility lines as soon as April. President Barack Obama's presidential museum is getting ready to break ground finally after a four year long federal review.
According to an article in Chicago Business, preliminary road work will follow the utility relocation and the official groundbreaking should be in August.
The National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration determined the park and roadway plans would not have a significant impact on the environment but the city is still awaiting receipt of final documentation.
"With this final step in the review, Chicago is now officially the home of the presidential center for our country's first Black president. Now, several city departments - planning, transportation, parks, housing and libraries - start their grunt work."
Chicago Mayor | Lori Lightfoot
The construction which is estimated to cost $500 million and take four years, would impact 19.3 acres of Jackson Park on the city's South Side.
Plans call for the following:
- 235 foot building that will house Obama's museum
- A separate "forum" building
- Community space
- Athletic center
- Chicago Public Library branch
- Reunifying the park's green space with walking and biking trails
- A children's play area
- Public garden
The city will also embark on significant roadwork which will include:
- Closing a portion of Cornell Drive that cuts through the park
- Widening part of Lake Shore Drive to accommodate diverted traffic
- Adding several stoplights
The $174 million in funding for that roadwork was set aside in the state's 2018 budget. The city's transportation department does not expect any changes, once complete, to make travel times any longer.
The Chicago Sun Times reported that Obama always envisioned his center to be an economic engine to revitalize the South Side - where ex-first lady Michelle was raised and where the 44th president started his political career in the Illinois State Senate.
The foundation estimated up to 5,000 Obama Center construction jobs will be created directly and indirectly. The foundation promised to award half the subcontracts to diverse vendors.
The Obama Center campus will be privately funded and maintained. It will take four years to build.
The center will include a 235 foot stone-sheathed tower containing the museum. The shade of the stone is still to be determined. There will also be a fruit and vegetable garden, a carryover from one of former first lady Michelle Obama's signature projects - her White House vegetable garden which gained notice all over the world.
Obama.org stated that this project is estimated to generate $3.1 billion in economic impact for Cook County and bring 700,000 visitors to the area each year to stimulate additional economic growth.
The Obama Foundation and construction manager, Lakeside Alliance, a joint venture of five construction firms, four of which are local and minority-owned, has started recruiting the necessary subcontractors and personnel to ensure a diverse workforce. They will use a number of strategies including breaking up bid packages to level the playing field for smaller subcontractors to compete.
"For many small vendors, getting a chance to work on a project of this size and complexity will allow subcontractors to not only profit from the project, but gain the necessary experience to allow them to compete for similar, large-scale projects in the future. We are committed to creating opportunities for diverse vendors because we believe the team building the Center should look like and benefit our community."
Obama Presidential Center Implementation Lead | Lori Healey
The Obama Foundation estimates that the construction costs of the Center and development of the parkland on-site will be nearly $500 million. According to its agreement with the City, the Obama foundation will bear 100 percent of the costs to construct and maintain the grounds and structures within the OPC site, turning over ownership to the City upon completion. The foundation has elected not to pursue capital or operating subsidies from the City and will finance ongoing needs privately. To leverage the private investment in the area, the City will invest in infrastructure improvements throughout the South Side.
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - The Barack Obama Presidential Center Construction Management RFP (0094032514)
