Sparks Fly At Forum Over Obama Library Location
CHICAGO (CBS/AP) -- The president of a group opposing proposals to put President Barack Obama's library on South Side park land is skeptical of a poll saying area residents support the project.
Friends of the Parks president Cassandra Francis expressed skepticism over how the Barack Obama Foundation asked the questions in its poll that showed support on the South Side. Francis participated in a City Club of Chicago panel Thursday discussing the proposed presidential and George Lucas museums.
The University of Chicago's bid includes the South Side park land. Francis says that sets a worrisome precedent for the future of parks.
As CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports, sparks flew as Chicago Park District Board Member Avis LaVelle said the city is in jeopardy of losing the project if officials try to change the location.
"I don't think this is something that is going to come around again for a very long time as an opportunity for Chicago, and I felt like I don't anybody to be flip about it," LaVelle later told CBS 2.
The Obama library foundation is expected to decide soon on a location. The University of Illinois at Chicago, New York's Columbia University and the University of Hawaii in Honolulu also want the library.
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