Chicago Gets the Obama Presidential Library, But at What Cultural Cost?

Imagine if New York said that the only way to build a presidential library for President Barack Obama was by carving 20 acres out of Central Park. The bid would be laughed out of court, right? People use that park. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It’s Central Park! Threats of impeachment have been issued over less.

Yet the University of Chicago and the Barack Obama Foundation mean to confiscate at least 20 acres of historic parkland from the South Side of Chicago in order to build an Obama presidential center. In fact, the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois have already signed off on those plans. The park takeover was a fait accompli by the time President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama announced the Chicago pick this morning.