The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago faces a $40 million racial discrimination lawsuit, adding to existing controversies surrounding the project.
Key Takeaways
- A subcontractor, II in One, has filed a $40 million lawsuit against Thornton Tomasetti, alleging racial discrimination in the construction of the Obama Presidential Center.
- The project’s cost has escalated from $500 million to $800 million, partly due to adherence to gender and racial quotas and environmental goals.
- Unlike traditional presidential libraries, the Obama Center will not house a research library or archive overseen by the National Archives and Records Administration.
- Community concerns persist regarding gentrification and environmental impact in Chicago’s South Side.
- The Obama Foundation denies any racist intent by Thornton Tomasetti and emphasizes the center’s potential positive impact on the local community.
Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Shakes Obama Center Construction
The construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago has hit a significant roadblock as II in One, a Chicago-based subcontractor, files a $40 million lawsuit against Thornton Tomasetti, the firm overseeing construction. The lawsuit alleges racial discrimination, claiming that Thornton Tomasetti imposed “excessively rigorous and unnecessary” standards and inspections, causing financial losses to II in One.
Robert McGee, owner of II in One, argues that these actions “directly undermined the Obama Foundation’s DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) goals and commitments and mission to bring transformative change to the construction industry and local community.” The lawsuit adds another layer of controversy to a project already facing scrutiny for its design, cost, and impact on the surrounding area.
Escalating Costs and Project Delays
The Obama Presidential Center has seen its budget balloon from an initial $500 million to the current $800 million. This substantial increase is attributed in part to the project’s commitment to gender and racial quotas, as well as stringent environmental goals. These factors have not only driven up costs but also contributed to significant delays in the project’s timeline.
“If the Foundation believed that any vendor was acting with a racist intent, we would immediately take appropriate action,” stated Emily Bittner, a spokesperson for the Obama Foundation.
Despite these assurances, the lawsuit has cast a shadow over the project’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, principles that the Obama Foundation has repeatedly emphasized as central to its mission.
A Departure from Traditional Presidential Libraries
The Obama Presidential Center stands apart from other presidential libraries in a significant way: it will not house a traditional research library or archive overseen by the National Archives and Records Administration. Instead, the complex will feature a museum, fitness center, recording studio, playground, teaching kitchen, and even a sledding hill, with plans for a nearby farmer’s market.
This unique approach has drawn both praise and criticism, with supporters lauding the center’s potential to revitalize Chicago’s South Side, while critics question the departure from the traditional role of presidential libraries as centers for scholarly research and historical preservation.
Community Concerns and Future Outlook
As the Obama Presidential Center continues to face hurdles, concerns from the local community persist. Residents have raised issues about potential gentrification and the project’s environmental impact on Jackson Park, a historic urban park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. These concerns, coupled with the ongoing legal battle, have cast uncertainty over the project’s future and its promised benefits to the community.
Despite these challenges, the Obama Foundation remains committed to the project, emphasizing its potential to bring economic development and cultural enrichment to Chicago’s South Side. The center is currently expected to open in 2026, though this timeline may be subject to change given the recent legal developments and ongoing controversies.
Sources:
- The Dean of UCLA Medical School Says It Does Not Discriminate Based on Race. His Own Research Center Runs a Minorities-Only Fellowship.
- Obama Center subcontractor files $40M discrimination lawsuit against engineering firm for overruns
- Obama’s $800M Presidential Center Slapped With DEI Lawsuit
