CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Construction is to begin next month on the Obama Presidential Center unless a court challenge delays it.
The group Protect Our Parks has asked a federal court to hold up the start of construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Aug. 16. In the lawsuit filed in April, the group asked the court to review and enforce the federal laws designed to “to protect local historic sites, environmental impacts, impairment of dedicated public parkland, and related community natural resources.”
According to Crain’s, the matter is back in court Tuesday.
Protect Our Parks has repeatedly said they are not opposed to the center, but believe that placing it in an alternate site was not seriously considered. The group said there would be more economic and environmental benefits to putting the Obama Center in another place like nearby Washington Park.
Obama Foundation lawyers argued time is money, and that any delay in construction would cost more than $2 million a month.
According to Crain's, the construction itself will cost approximately $500 million, and the total project is expected to cost approximately $700 million. The Obama Foundation has already spent about $70 million on planning and design.
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