President Barack Obama's $850 million Chicago library opening
CNBC • • nation
Key Points:
- The Obama Presidential Center, a $850 million, 19.3-acre campus on Chicago's South Side, is set to open on Juneteenth, featuring museum exhibits on Barack Obama's political career alongside contemporary art, public spaces, athletic facilities, and a Chicago Public Library branch.
- The center will charge $30 for general admission, making it the most expensive presidential museum or library to visit, and it is privately operated by the Obama Foundation rather than the National Archives and Records Administration.
- This private operation allows greater flexibility in storytelling and funding, distinguishing it from other modern presidential libraries.
- The center aims to boost the local economy by hiring local contractors for construction and attracting investment to Chicago's South and West Side neighborhoods.