Obama Library Announcement Set, But Rahm Not Celebrating Until It's Official
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The long-awaited official announcement of a decision made months ago is now less than a day away. President Barack Obama on Tuesday will explain via videotape why he decided to bring his presidential library to Chicago.
Though it's been known for nearly two weeks that the president has decided to build the facility in his hometown, the Barack Obama Foundation has yet to make a formal announcement.
On Monday, the foundation merely said it "will announce the home of the future Barack Obama Presidential Center" at 5 a.m. Chicago time, followed by a noon press conference. The fact Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be at the press conference with the foundation's chairman at a South Side youth center made it obvious the South Side will be the home of the Obama library.
That means the University of Chicago, not the University of Illinois at Chicago – or bids from New York or Honolulu – was chosen as the winner.
While that has been clear for nearly two weeks, no one has been celebrating, or claiming victory just yet. Mayor Rahm Emanuel stressed he didn't want to trump the president's library announcement, though it's obvious Chicago has been selected. He couched every answer about the decision in terms of "if Chicago is selected," but he admitted it will be great for the city.
"I think it's a unique opportunity that will both economically – as well as culturally and educationally – pay a dividend for the city of Chicago and whatever neighborhood he picks for years to come; and not just once. Every year after that," he said.
Podcast
What is still undecided is which of two sites proposed by the University of Chicago will be chosen. It's possible the Obama Foundation – the private group raising money to build the library – will keep their options open while selecting an architect for the facility.
One is in Washington Park, at the busy corner of King Drive and Garfield Boulevard, across from vacant lots owned by the city and university, as well as a handful of mid-rise apartment buildings and the Chicago Baptist Institute.
The second site is a quieter spot in Jackson Park, in a tree lined low-rise neighborhood. That parkland is more developed, with softball diamonds, playlots, and a track and football/soccer complex used by joggers and student athletes.
That's why King High School track coach Rodney Harper said he hopes the Obama Library goes to Washington Park.
"When spring comes, that's our outdoor track that we use," Harper said.
He said placing the library in Jackson Park wouldn't be good for his team, and others who use the sports facilities there.
Washington Park resident Robin Coleman agreed her neighborhood would be the best choice for both neighborhoods.
"They really need things like that over in that community. Plus, if you put it in Washington Park, you're right on [King] Drive. It's better for both communities," she said as she used the tennis courts in Jackson Park.
The final decision will be made based on factors including access. Right now, express buses provide access to Jackson Park from the Loop, while the Green Line is just a block away from the Washington park site.
The key thing is, with the library, will come good-paying jobs.
"Potentially thousands. This isn't just the building of the facility it's also the running of it and the tourism, the conventions, shows," Chicago Federation of Labor president Jorge Ramirez said.
Emanuel said the library also will provide a boon of tourism revenue.
"People from around the globe, if Chicago is selected, will be coming here for years to come not just to see the library not just to remember the past but to think through on policy issues what the future will be," he said.
Emanuel reminded reporters to never get ahead of the president even though he's known for weeks the decision has been made. His re-election clinched it for Chicago, which would not necessarily have lost the library if the he lost the election. However, there almost certainly would have been a further delay while the Obama Foundation made sure Chuy Garcia would stick to the deal made with Emanuel.
For some residents of the area, the selection of the University of Chicago's bid means some uncertainty. While the library is expected to generate up to $600 million in economic development, it also could mean gentrification of the neighborhood around the facility, which could force out some small businesses.
Some residents also have expressed concerns that landlords could sell their residential buildings after the library goes up, leading to higher rents that could force them to relocate.
The city also likely will end up making improvements to public transit facilities and other infrastructure near the library, to make the site more accessible to the public. The mayor also has vowed to make up for parkland that is being given up to build the library. Where or when that new parkland would be built remains unclear.
