Posted on 10/15/2026 8:53:36 AM PDT by Libloather
FIRST ON FOX - The price tag for the beleaguered Obama Presidential Center is now projected to top $1 billion, nearly triple its original estimate, the foundation overseeing construction of the Chicago facility told Fox News Digital.
Confirmation of the 10-figure cost marks another chapter in the troubled history of the much-delayed project, which opened five years behind schedule amid controversy over its use of public parkland and claims that subcontractors were stiffed out of millions of dollars. It comes as newly released financial records reviewed by Fox News Digital offer a fresh look at the finances of the Obama Foundation, the former president's private nonprofit that oversaw construction of the billion-dollar project.
The sprawling campus on the Windy City's south side was originally expected to open in 2021, with construction costs estimated at $300 million to $350 million. But years of federal reviews, legal challenges and construction delays preceded its eventual opening in June 2026, by which time projected costs had skyrocketed to approximately $850 million.
Hailed by Democrats and supporters as a historic investment in the community and a tribute to the former president's legacy, the center was promoted as a catalyst for jobs, economic growth and new opportunities for underserved communities.
"While we continue to reconcile costs and plan ahead for additional capital improvements, we anticipate our total cost for constructing the campus is approximately $1 billion — again, all raised in private contributions," Emily Bittner, the Obama Foundation's vice president of communications, told Fox News Digital. "This includes investments in additional public art, insurance, scope changes in our Home Court, project management and exhibit installation, among other categories."
The campus serves as both a museum dedicated to Obama's presidency and the headquarters of the Obama Foundation. It also features a public library branch and an athletic...
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
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It is the ugliest building I’ve ever seen, regardless of style.
So many projects and programs just seem to be a cover to transfer money and spread it around, and presumably appropriately shared with those who send the flood of cash into that project, all that money doesn’t just evaporate, it serves some central purpose.
Overruns in a democratic project?
NO WAY! 😂
Disgusting. Visual Obamanation
It looks like an alter to worship gog.
But, it’s the most beautiful build-sized trash can I’ve ever seen, regardless of style.
Well, I can think of a lot of other places relating to U.S. history that I would want to visit well before this one.
Big time.
Same for me.
“Bottom line to me: I don’t see a short-term financial distress here, but I do see an organization that has tied up a lot of its resources in its buildings, which means more costs to come and the need for more revenues to make this sustainable,” he said.
.....
The tax filings show donations and grants fell to approximately $151 million in 2025, down from $195 million in 2024. Fundraising has fluctuated sharply in recent years, falling from $311 million in 2022 to $129 million in 2023 before rebounding in 2024 and declining again last year.
......................
Mittendorf warned that raising money to maintain the sprawling campus could prove more challenging than funding its construction.
“It’s much easier to raise money when it’s for building a building than it is for doing upkeep or paying for insurance or paying utilities,” he said.
Obama Foundation officials said its operating costs are covered by revenue and private donations, although they did not provide a figure for the center’s annual operating and maintenance expenses.
......
Obama Foundation officials said the agreement with the city of Chicago required them to establish an endowment, not fully fund it, before taking control of the site.
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“We designed the center not to be some lifeless mausoleum,” Obama said.
“While we are non-partisan, we are not value-neutral. We have a point of view.”
Of course your tax dollars will pay for every Chicagoland student to visit.
FIRST ON FOX - The price tag for the beleaguered Obama Presidential Center .........;
beleaguered
adjective
us /bɪˈli·ɡərd/
having so many difficulties that you feel as if you are being attacked from every direction:
$1 billion — again, all raised in private contributions, .... “This includes investments in additional public art, ...
= = =
Any of Hunter’s masterpieces? They would add up quick.
https://www.foxnews.com/person/d/michael-dorgan
Michael Dorgan is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
The target on these types of projects is 5x the original estimate. I think we in CA have everyone soilidly beat, though, on our High Speed Rail. Originally estimated @ $33 bn, we are now in the $120 bn range, with not an inch of track laid, zero cars purchased, Fed $4 bn subsidy lost due to failure to procure cars timely. The only segment partially complete as to bridges and overpasses is in the Central Valley, which is purely agricultural land and has no “commute” relevance. The over run on this just shocking, staggering.
This will be the biggest sunk cost exercise in human history, the best thing to do with HSR would be to abandon it NOW, TODAY.
I can easily imagine the Centerpiece of the building would be the portrait he commissioned of himself in a weird suit.
And what did you get for it?
"A bunch of dead historic oak trees, and a giant, ugly rock."
Keep f***ing that chicken!
“Obama’s billion-dollar baby: Chicago center’s price tag hits monumental milestone, tripling original estimate”. They needed Gavin Newsome as the project manager, he’s done really well with high-speed rail lines.
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