Construction of Obama Presidential Center begins on South Side

A rendering of the proposed Obama Presidential Center, which is scheduled to be built in nearby Jackson Park, is displayed at the South Shore Cultural Center during a roundtable discussion moderated by former President Barack Obama on May 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Presidential Center design envisions three buildings, a museum, library and forum. Obama was accompanied at the event by his wife Michelle who was making her first trip back to Chicago since leaving the White House in January.
A rendering of the proposed Obama Presidential Center, which is scheduled to be built in nearby Jackson Park, is displayed at the South Shore Cultural Center during a roundtable discussion moderated by former President Barack Obama on May 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Presidential Center design envisions three buildings, a museum, library and forum. Obama was accompanied at the event by his wife Michelle who was making her first trip back to Chicago since leaving the White House in January. Photo credit Scott Olson/Getty Images

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A groundbreaking for the Obama Presidential Center is scheduled to take place Monday at Jackson Park.

The official start of construction will proceed despite legal challenges from organizations like Protect Our Parks.

The group cited the historic significance of Jackson Park and criticized the environmental review of the project, but an Illinois federal court ruled those claims wouldn’t hold up in court.

The agencies complied with federal environmental law by studying the various impacts of tree removals to air quality and migratory birds, according to the ruling, and also considered the unique characteristics of Jackson Park.

With construction estimated to take about four years, motorists can expect delays and road closures. That’s why the Chicago Department of Transportation launched a website, JacksonParkImprovements.org, that offers live updates.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images