Former President Barack Obama has announced that construction will begin on his state-of-the-art presidential center later this year. The center is set to be located in the south side of Chicago.
“I’m proud to announce that the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) will officially break ground in 2021,” he tweeted.
“Our hope is that the center will breathe new life into historic Jackson Park while delivering jobs, growth, and much more to the South Side.”
By bringing the center to Chicago, Obama hopes to create jobs and bring economic growth the area. A report from the Obama Foundation suggests that the center will bring $3 billion “in economic impact for Cook County.”
I’m proud to announce that the Obama Presidential Center will officially break ground in 2021. Our hope is that the center will breathe new life into historic Jackson Park while delivering jobs, growth, and much more to the South Side.
Let’s get to work. pic.twitter.com/cOqoPmaLkf
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 3, 2021
“The Foundation has committed to awarding 50 percent of the subcontracting packages to diverse vendors, exceeding the city’s goal of 26 percent and 6 percent commitment to MBE/WBE vendors, based on the belief that the team that’s building the center should look like the community it calls home,” the Obama Foundation stated.
“We are committed to creating opportunities for diverse vendors because we believe the team building the Center should look like and benefit our community,” Lori Healey of the Obama Presidential Center added.
There is no set date for construction to begin, but it will likely begin during the second half of 2021.
