Construction update Oct. 2021: hosting a community event for People with Disabilities

People explore the sky room of the future Obama Presidential Center

October 26, 2021

The Foundation will host a community engagement event for People with Disabilities. This event will bring members of the disabilities community up to speed on the current approach to inclusive design in the museum exhibits, share initial thinking around accessibility affordances within the museum experience, and highlight some of the work yet to come.

October 25, 2021

This week, truckloads of dirt will continue to be hauled off. On the lagoon and Midway Plaisance sides of the site, new asphalt walking paths have been poured to allow for safe walking and biking around the perimeter of the site.

The following activities are also set to begin this week:

  • The site is being rough-graded, with excess topsoil being hauled off through the first week of November, in preparation for the start of below-grade works.

  • In an effort to create an energy-efficient and sustainable campus, the Obama Presidential Center will be powered by geothermal heating and cooling. The system is built upon a network of very deep wells called caissons. Drilling will begin on November 1.

A dark asphalt-paved bike and walking trail is shown in the middle with orange construction fencing on either side of it.
The construction site for the Obama Presidential Center is shown through the links in a metal fence.

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Your donation makes it possible for us to build a world-class museum, library, and gathering spaces on Chicago’s South Side.

Donate to the Barack Obama Foundation. The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

3D rendering of the Obama Presidential Center Plaza

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More construction updates

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Construction update October 2024: Concrete is complete at the Obama Presidential Center

Concrete construction across the site is complete. The Sky Room and Oval Office are taking shape.

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Construction update June 2024: President Obama marks the completion of the Museum Building

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Construction update Oct. 2023: Granite panels are going up

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Construction update July 2023: third floor and climbing

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Construction update Sept. 2023: 100 feet and climbing

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Construction update May 2023: concrete on repeat

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Construction update April 2023: meeting a parking garage milestone

Major structural work on the underground parking garage is complete!

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Construction update March 2023: Library and Forum trade work begins

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Construction update Jan. 2023: mild weather and a strong start to 2023

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Construction update Sept. 2022: Year two begins

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Construction update Aug. 2022: first workforce report released

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Construction update July 2022: casting columns and concrete

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Construction update May 2022: digging deep

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Construction update April 2022: Cranes are up

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Construction update March 2022: Earth retention work is complete

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Construction update Feb. 2022: getting ready for mass excavation

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Construction update Jan 2022: ringing in the new year with geothermal wells

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Construction update Dec. 2021: drilling down

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Construction update Oct. 2021: hosting a community event for People with Disabilities

This event will bring members of the disabilities community up to speed on the current approach to inclusive design at the OPC.

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Construction update Sept. 2021: breaking ground

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Construction update Aug. 2021: Roadway improvements begin

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Construction update June 2021: Median work begins

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