Story perspectives

Obama Presidential Center Set to Open in June

2/17/2026

Center

Obama Center Opening

The Obama Presidential Center will open in June.
The 20-acre campus in Chicago's Jackson Park will include a full-court basketball court, a library, a recording studio, and a garden.
Community input guided design, with team members visiting all 77 Chicago neighborhoods.
Barack Obama, former U.S. president, provided updates during the NBA All-Star Game in California.
The project aims to foster community engagement through sports and bring joy to the community.

Right

Bay Critiques Obama Center

Architecture critic Lee Bay says the Obama Presidential Center's text display is confusing and hard to read, citing the Selma speech text.
The Obamalisk, a Brutalist-design building, has sparked concerns about gentrification on Chicago's South Side.
The Obama Presidential Center is set to open in June after years of delays.
The Obama Foundation promotes the campus as a community hub and economic anchor for the South Side.

1 of 2

Obama Center Opening

The Obama Presidential Center will open in June.
The 20-acre campus in Chicago's Jackson Park will include a full-court basketball court, a library, a recording studio, and a garden.
Community input guided design, with team members visiting all 77 Chicago neighborhoods.
Barack Obama, former U.S. president, provided updates during the NBA All-Star Game in California.
The project aims to foster community engagement through sports and bring joy to the community.

1 / 2