Barack Obama Foundation chooses South Side Chicago site for presidential library

frontpage ^ | 5/12/15 | DON BABWIN and CARYN ROUSSEAU - Associated Press

[Nachum]

CHICAGO (AP) — President Barack Obama has decided to build his presidential library on the South Side of Chicago, where his political career began.

The Barack Obama Foundation announced in a news release early Tuesday that the library will be erected on park land that was proposed for the site by the University of Chicago. The site was selected over bids made by Columbia University in New York, the University of Hawaii and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

"With a library and a foundation on the South Side of Chicago, not only will we be able to encourage and affect change locally, but what we can also do is to attract the world to Chicago." Obama said in a video accompanying the release. "All the strands of my life came together and I really became a man when I moved to Chicago. That's where I was able to apply that early idealism to try to work in communities in public service. That's where I met my wife. That's where my children were born."

The decision was hardly a surprise. The University of Chicago's bid was long considered a front-runner, and people with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press and other media nearly two weeks ago that it was the winner.

Both the president and first lady once worked at the university, and they still maintain a house near campus. Obama taught constitutional law and worked as a community organizer on the South Side. First lady Michelle Obama is a Chicago native and worked as an administrator at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

"Every value, every memory, every important relationship to me exists in Chicago. I consider myself a South Sider," Michelle Obama said.

In recent weeks, city officials were forced to take extra steps to

[MaggiesPitchfork]

What are you talking about? Don’t forget all those memorial selfies. He could fill a building with those.

[Nachum]

I was born in Chicago and was raised near it. Loved the people, but the South Side has been trouble for years. I am glad they are putting his edifice on the South Side as few will want to come near it.

Would much rather take in a White Sox game.

[Dave278]

I suppose the local population needs a fresh supply of gullible ignorant liberal tourists to victimize when they make their pilgrimage to St. Obama’s shrine.

[azishot]

This is certainly big enough for him to fill with all of his "important" papers.

[semimojo]

"...not only will we be able to encourage and affect change locally..."

Come on AP, get an editor.

[AFret.]

I’ll bet that the site selected is one of many parcels on the SouthSide owned by Valerie Jarrett. Remember, she was livid that Chicago was not selected for the Olympics..because the proposed site for Olympic Village was to be on land owned by her. Here we are again..she will make a wad selling the same parcel to the govt to build the so called library..

[hal ogen]

Since every bit of information about this usurping idiot is sealed from the public, will the “library” be empty? Anyone in their right mind would not go there for several reasons including it being surrounded by ferals.

[onyx]

GREAT!
I avoid Chicago.

[AFret.]

Since every bit of information about this usurping idiot is sealed from the public, will the “library” be empty? Anyone in their right mind would not go there for several reasons including it being surrounded by ferals.

Concur..it will be a “target rich environment”. I think that the only item on display will be an empty suit..not worth the trip, unless you pack extra ammo.