QUALIFICATIONS for the
BARACK OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
AddrPhon
bama CampusO44
June 16, 2016
Martin H. NesbittThe Barack Obama Foundation300 East Randolph Street, Suite 4030Chicago, Illinois 60601
Dear Mr. Nesbitt:
As a board member of the President Obama Library and Museum Campus Foundation, I am pleased and honored to present to you our response to your request for qualifi cations for hosting the Barack Obama Presidential Library.
Beyond the medium presented here, we Chicagoans in Bronzeville have anticipated the opportunity to host Obama’s legacy since his election in 2008. His story is our story, his journey is refl ected in our history, and his vision of hope and change will be realized by our future. By working with more than twenty different companies, organizations, and community groups we have embodied the grassroots spirit of the Obama campaign to truly refl ect the ideals of the people it represents.
There have been many proposals for the Michael Reese site, but considering its namesake’s character and that of the surrounding community the Obama Presidential Library is undoubtedly the best and highest use of the location. On behalf of our team, thank you sincerely for this unique opportunity to serve the President, the South Side of Chicago, and people around the world.
Paula RobinsonBoard MemberPresident Obama Library and Museum Campus Foundation ObamaCampus.com
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
oneexecutive summary
twowhy bronzeville?
threeresponse content
• respondent information
• project site
• transportation & accessibility
• project execution
• community engagement
• indications of support
table of contents
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY 1
executivesum
mary
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL LEARNING CAMPUS - A NEW URBAN PARADIGM FOR CHICAGO
The Burnham Plan of 1909 was bold and visionary. Born out of necessity to solve immediate problems, the plan ultimately transformed Chicago and provided a grand template that still inspires and guides us today when planning the City’s future growth.
Echoing Daniel Burnham’s admonition to “make no little plans”, our plan for Bronzeville is comprehensive and bold. The Barack Obama Presidential Library represents a seed of transformation that once planted, would have the power to revitalize the site. It has the potential to create new urban spaces that would initiate lasting change and reinvigorate the surrounding community.
executive summary
5
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
executive summary
LEADERSHIP
Barack Obama’s presidency has been built on the idea of change; his library would manifest that theme for Bronzeville and the greater South Side. The project would serve as a catalyst, promoting sustainable growth and targeting investment to deliver clear economic
to the neighborhood’s history.
Presidential libraries have traditionally been
challenges that trend. By fully realizing the potential of the site, the Barack Obama Presidential Library would go beyond simply cataloguing President Obama’s eight years in
past events and ways in which it will impact the future. A living part of its host community, it would drive economic development, create a sense of place, promote inclusivity at the ethnic crossroads of Chicago. Most importantly, it would accomplish all this without displacing the people who call it home.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Chicago is a city known for its strong urban grid, in large part due to the Burnham Plan. Throughout the city, appropriately scaled streets seamlessly connect neighborhoods to parks and Lake Michigan. The existing Michael Reese site in Bronzeville breaks that connection by creating a barrier between Bronzeville and the lakefront. Our proposal
a gap in Chicago’s necklace of public assets that stretches from Evanston to Northwest Indiana. The proposed elevated park would provide park views along 31st, 29th and 26th streets, inviting the community to the site.
By connecting the site to the lake, we would
would play a key role in the area. It would not only contribute to the economic vitality of the neighborhood but would house vertical farms and have dedicated land for ongoing research in environmental and related sciences.
6
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINE
The entire site is a tool for environmental performance that would utilize Biomimicry to be functionally indistinguishable from the region’s natural coastal environment. The site would be designed to meet living building and ecological performance standards, becoming a model of
neutrality, and regenerative design.
Because ours is a coastal site with views of the lake it gives us the opportunity to build upon Burnham’s vision of a “City in a Garden”. It would help achieve objectives of the Millennium Reserve, Obama’s “America’s Great Outdoors” initiative, and the Burnham Wildlife Corridor Bird Sanctuary. Vertical
research would engage visitors in dynamic ways, promoting environmental awareness and stewardship.
NEIGHBORHOOD
The Obama Presidential Library would revitalize the historic Bronzeville community. With a commitment to develop without displacement, we envision a campus with integrated commercial and mixed-income residential development that would result in a stronger Bronzeville, the Obama Presidential Library at its core.
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RYBronzeville, June 13, 2014; photo by JJ Jetel
why this
site?
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
vast economic ponexus of connectglobal reach.the perfect comm
bronzeville
otential.tivity.
munity.
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
millennium park
navy pier & chicago children’s museum
chicago history museum
field museum
the art institute of chicago
museum of science and industry
soldier field
the peggy notebaert nature museum
OBAMA LIBRARY SITE
Recreation
Millennium Park
Entertainment
Navy Pier
Science
Field Museum
Education
Chicago Cultural Center
Family
Chicago Children’s Museum
Art
The Art Institute of Chicago
Industry
Museum of Science and Industry
Sport
Soldier Field
Nature
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
the chicago
necklace
connecting
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
p
guidingprinciples
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
coreR E S P O N S E TO T H E G U I D I N G P R I N C I P L E S
anyone, regardless of skin color, creed, or nationality could have access to quality health
care facilities. Not only were his ideals avant-garde, but so was the design of the hospital
psychologically. The remaining Singer Pavilion is one of the last remaining examples of
Gropius architecture and its identity as part of Michael Reese’s campus offers an ideal
location to tell not just the story of the Affordable Care Act, but the history of healthcare and
medicine as well. Given the site’s struggles in recent years and prime location, it truly holds
the most promise for urban renewal. Its size and versatility lends itself to a wide variety
of programmatic spaces including vertical farms, mixed-income living spaces, lakefront
trails, and world-class hotels. And while it has a rich history augmented by the surrounding
community, it has become a blank canvas, malleable and ready to give back to Chicago
once again.
ECONOMIC ENGINE
FLEXIBLE & FORWARD THINKING
2 2
FUNCTIONAL
TECHNO- LOGICALLY ADVANCED
Just as the University of Chicago provided a foundation for investment further south, so
would the Obama Presidential Library (OPL) in Bronzeville. Along with the newly completed
harbor at 31st street, recently approved Lake Meadows Master Plan, and new Green Line
station at 24th and Michigan, the OPL would connect South Side development to the nexus
of the city and provide an investment anchor in the area. Instead of becoming an island,
inaccessible to those it serves, it would instead form the heart of the area, paying homage
not only to the service of President Obama but also to Michael Reese and the enduring
spirit of Bronzeville.
the Michael Reese site to weave high-density, multi-use land with the lakefront ecosystem
and nearby public transportation, the library serving as its core. This unique, bounded
not produce waste, generates its own energy, and serves as an model for cutting-edge
sustainable design.
Indeed, sustainability is at the forefront of the vision for the Michael Reese site. This
includes going beyond LEED Platinum standards to create a campus functionally
indistinguishable from the natural ecology that existed before Chicago and a library that is
regenerative, giving back to the environment. A review of the genius of the biome would
establish ecological performance standards (EPS) that the site would then be designed to
in the world and has collaborated closely with The Biomimicry Guild since 2008 on projects
worldwide to create a partnership on the cusp of sustainable design.
ACCOUNTABLE & PERFORMANCE-
DRIVEN
UNIFIED DESIGN VISION
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
programR E S P O N S E TO T H E G U I D I N G P R I N C I P L E S
AUTHENTIC
The Obama legacy will be one anchored in the themes of inclusion, empowerment, and
respect. The Michael Reese site embodies these ideals, respecting the community by
offering development without displacement, including all Chicagoans through its geographic
accessibility, and empowering Bronzeville to grow both as an economy and as a community.
While institutional involvement would be an integral part of the library, its location on the
Michael Reese site would send a clear message that it is a campus not only for researchers
and tourists, but for everyone. The museum will fully illustrate Obama’s life and presidency,
exploring in detail hallmark achievements such as the Affordable Care Act, the recovery
from the Great Recession, and the ending of the war in Iraq. And it will go beyond the
President’s service in isolation, placing these events within their larger contexts to stimulate
continuum of history.
INSPIRATIONAL
2 4
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
GLOBAL
Situated next door to the McCormick Place and nearby Chicago’s extensive Museum
gap between the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry. Locally, the
OPL would illuminate existing, if undervalued, attractions such as the Mies van der Rohe
Campus, Stephen Douglas’ tomb, and the house of Muddy Waters. Its location adjacent to
the data artery of Chicago would enable it to be truly global, from streaming inter-Atlantic
The Michael Reese site is large enough to accommodate extensive trails and green space,
providing a place to improve community well-being and enhance the biodiversity of the area
by connecting lakefront habitats. It has the potential to manifest both the America’s Great
Outdoors and the Let’s Move! initiatives in tangible ways. A state-of-the-art bike valet center
equipped with showers would encourage sustainable, active commuting to one of Chicago’s
most beautiful transit hubs. In addition, more than 400,000 square feet of vertical farming
would improve community health, generate funds, and serve as an interactive learning
experience for students and tourists alike from around the world.
CIVIC
PURPOSEFUL
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
contextR E S P O N S E TO T H E G U I D I N G P R I N C I P L E S
There was no place for racial discrimination at the Michael Reese Hospital; the OPL would
expand upon that legacy. The location itself invites mixed-income residential development
so that people of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic statuses could not only visit,
but have the ability to call this site home. By presenting national political issues in an
unbiased way and distilling them down to their local relevance would show those Americans
disenfranchised with Washington how democracy can still work and their importance in the
process. From an academic perspective, its ability to simultaneously partner with multiple
higher education institutions would nurture discourse and improve its quality.
ENGAGEMENT
INQUIRY
2 6
The Douglas neighborhood is at the ethnic crossroads of one of the most diverse cities in
the country. Predominantly black, Asian, Hispanic, and white communities (among others)
surround it on all sides, and the OPL would represent not only their unique traits, but also
what they have in common. Library employees would be multilingual to best address the
needs of all visitors and material would be available in various languages. Chicago also
boasts one of the largest and most vibrant LGBT communities in America. Given Obama’s
personal support for gay rights and the historic progress that has been made both on federal
highlighted by the library. And while it would take many multicultural cues from its host city,
the OPL would also look to the more diverse global population for guidance as well. The
data capabilities of the site introduce the possibility of a robust interactive digital experience
for this global base of virtual visitors in addition to engagement through more typical social
media channels.
When it comes to connectivity, the Michael Reese site is second to none. It hosts an
impressive array of existing multi-modal transportation options, setting it apart from other
areas of the city. Its proximity to I-55, the Metra South Shore Line, the Green line, and
proposed Bus Rapid Transit routes gives it the potential to become a Transit-Oriented
Development. The lakefront trail system would be routed directly into the site, enabling
access not only for pedestrians and cyclists but also for those who would arrive by boat at
the 31st street harbor. Its physical accessibility would be matched by its virtual accessibility,
as it sits four blocks from Lakeside Technology Center at 350 E Cermak road, the world’s
largest data center.
INNOVATIVE
CONNECTED
WELCOMING & TRANSPARENT
Bronzeville, June 13, 2014; photo by JJ Jetel
response
content
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
The following section addresses the Response Content Document. Images,
diagrams and narratives provide statistical information about the site, nearby community and the impact that the OPL would have.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the Request for , the information provided seeks to tell a story
about the Michael Reese site and the Bronzeville community.
response content
3 1
resinfo
spondentormation
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
team description
The Barack Obama Presidential Library and Museum Campus Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization formed by community leaders in Bronzeville. The group consists of
and has strong representation from the Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission (BMNHAC), a group that is seeking National Heritage Status for Bronzeville.
The organization responding to the RFQ is led by Paula Robinson, President of the BMNHAC.
Main point of contact: Paula [email protected](773) 532-9850
The organization includes experts with a variety of skill sets at a local, regional and national level. The core team members and partners listed on the following page have been working with advisors throughout the Chicago region to compile a well-researched and inspiring package. The experts include local Bronzeville development and engineering practices, as well as nationally-recognized urban design and biomimicry experts.
The organization has multiple committees that orchestrate and execute the decision making process. Committees for Real Estate Development, Transportation, Finance, Social Media, Sustainability, Legal, Civic Innovation and Media were established to tell the story of Bronzeville and the Michael Reese site. What follows is a result of their collaboration and hard work together for this inspirational project.
bama CampusO44
3 4
Core Team
Community Advisors
Partners
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
A. Philip Randolph, Pullman Porter Museum
Choose Chicago
Enjoy Illinois
Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
OpenLands
Center for Neighborhood Technology
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Chicago Park District
Pervasive Health
Converge Exchange
Dr. Paul Magelli Sr.
Alliance of National Heritage Areas
African American Community Trust
Bold Agenda
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Deborah Strauss and Associates
Derric Price Ltd.
Stratz Group
ARC Law Group
East Lake Management + Development Corp.
Camp Douglas Restoration Foundation
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
Chicago Community Loan Fund
Chicago Black History Forum
Bronzeville Historical Society
Green Meeting Industry Council
Urban Equities Inc.
FCB
Fiscal Austerity and Urban Innovation Project
Michael Reese Foundation
Chicago Community Trust
International Center for Advanced Internet Research (iCAIR)
Prologue, Inc.
Engage Civil Inc.
Chicago Streetcar Renaissance
Farr & Associates
IllinoisBusinessConsulting
Abraham Lincoln Centre
Blacks in Green
Black Metropolis Convention & Tourism Council
Bronzeville Alliance
Bronzeville Merchants Association
Rehab Construction Systems
South Side Community Federal Credit Union
Center for Neighborhood Technology
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
community visionccvv
T H E B AB A R A C K OK B A MB A M A PA R E SR E SSSS I D EI D EI D ED EI D E N T INN A L L I BBB R A RRR RR A RYYYY
COMMUNITY HISTORY
The story of how Bronzeville shares the vision of
the Obama Presidential Library begins at the turn
of the twentieth century. Oppressive Jim Crow
laws helped spark the Great Migration, which
brought over half a million former slaves and their
descendants to Chicago in search of opportunity.
But while Chicago proved more progressive than
the places they left behind, discrimination was still
widespread and in many ways forced the black
community to survive on its own. Thus formed
what was known as the Black Metropolis, in 1930
becoming Bronzeville. Born out of struggle, an
embodiment of the American Dream, this was a
place where blacks could come and prosper. The
articles of , the music of Louis
Armstrong, and the pioneering social activism of Ida
B. Wells broke boundaries and demonstrated how
Bronzeville empowered blacks to succeed in ways
they could not elsewhere. Even if it has lost some
of its luster, its importance in black history and the
history of the United States cannot be diminished. It
is here that the Michael Reese site is located.
With the Civil Rights movement and the dismantling
of segregation beginning in the 1950s, many
families left Bronzeville, which had become
overcrowded. As a result, Bronzeville’s population
declined by more than 75 percent between 1950
and 2000 and much of the community’s economic
base was lost.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The location once hosted the Michael Reese
hospital campus, named after a man whose vision
to make healthcare accessible to all regardless
of nationality, creed, or skin color echoes that of
President Obama’s through the Affordable Care
Act. Amid rising costs, it closed its doors in 2008
and was demolished a year later, but soon after
held the possibility of becoming the Olympic Village
for Chicago’s 2016 bid. Such a spotlight would
have introduced its undervalued cultural assets to
the international community. While Chicago’s bid
was unsuccessful, it preserved the site for future
Obama Presidential Library. A place that saw the
role in a new way once again.
3 6 T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
COMPLEMENTARY VISION
Locating the OPL in a neighborhood that will
celebrate the Great Migration Centennial in 2016
National Heritage site would accurately tell the
story of a people using the cultural and geographic
landscape. The Michael Reese site is the cultural
and geographic anchor that can best celebrate and
interpret the historical continuum of the President
and the nearby community.
The complementary vision of the site, the city, and
the President are rooted in the ideals of rebuilding
at the community level. Just as Chicago was rebuilt
after the Great Fire and the United States was
rebuilt after the Great Depression, Bronzeville and
the Michael Reese site can be rebuilt with greater
vigor and hope than before. The Bronzeville TIF
district is designated to revitalize this area and can
be greatly enhanced if the OPL is located on this
site.
The site would be rebuilt in keeping with the old
adage of “Be your Brother’s Keeper”. Michael
Reese did not discriminate against nor abandon
the community around him. The President’s “My
Brother’s Keeper” legacy embodies the history
of the site and will strengthen the story for future
generations.
These stories will be conveyed through the
Cultural Heritage Tourism vision of the Bronzeville
area. Current cultural heritage tourism efforts
in Bronzeville take place in numerous venues
near the site. The workforce training program for
these tour guides provides job opportunities as
well as education and inspiration for visitors. The
President brought hope and inspiration to millions
of Americans during his campaign and presidency.
That same inspiration and hope will be conveyed to
visitors of the OPL and the nearby Black Metropolis
Heritage Area by Cultural Heritage Tourism guides.
Hope and Change formed the foundation of
spread those ideas again.
Steering Committee:Jerry AdelmanDavid BakerChristina BeattyTimuel Black PhDTerry Nichols Clark PhDSusan CampbellAnna Agbe-Davis PhDSaundra DoughertyMichael Fountain
Ghian ForemanWalter FreemanTeri GrahamKim HuntRhonda HardyCassandra HoustonLyn Hughes PhDLennox JacksonRalph KindredLeroy Kennedy
Barbara KenseyYvette LeGrandHarold L. LucasSonya MalundaTheodore Manley PhDTracye Matthews Mell MonroeCorlis MoodySharon MorganBruce Montgomery
Norman MontgomeryIsobel NealJeri RichardsPaula Robinson Carolyn RushChristopher Reed PhDTim SamuelsonCharles SuttonAlisa StarksArthur Turnbull
Bernard TurnerRon ThomasDon WallaceBill WilliamsIra WilliamsDonna WilliamsonAntoinette Wright
Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission
projectsite
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
The project site offers 98 acres of potential development. This includes 48 acres for the former Michael Reese hospital site, 28 acres of truck marshalling yard and 22 acres of additional site parcels. The land is mostly vacant and is bounded by 26th and 31st street, Martin Luther King Drive, and Lake Shore Drive.
Just as the Michael Reese Hospital provided quality healthcare to individuals regardless of nationality or race, the site has the potential to serve as a welcoming location for people of all backgrounds as it did in years past.
Many medical innovations took place at Michael Reese,
This site has the potential to serve as a future incubator for transportation, tourism, and technology that will create research collaborations and drive economic development for the region.
As the demographics of the neighborhood around the hospital changed by the 1950s, Michael Reese became an agent of urban renewal in lieu of deserting the neighborhood. Locating the OPL on this site will plant the seed in fertile ground and help realize this same dedication to urban renewal and the surrounding community.
the site
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
view looking north
view looking south
4 2
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY4 6
Metra rail line. The contours in this area will allow for
easy development west of the Metra line.
The Metra line is 8-10 feet below the grade of
the western portion of the site and would require
decking and/or pedestrian bridges over the rail for
new development.
The Truck Marshalling yards are at a similar grade
level as the Metra line and will require decking and/
or pedestrian bridges to tie the site to the lakefront.
Electric and water lines run through the existing
street network and future Comed and People’s
Gas utility lines are being reserved for placement
along Cottage Grove Avenue and 28th streets.
Future storm water and sewer infrastructure is being
reserved for the existing street network, but future
storm and sewer infrastructure would be needed for
site development.
Roadway improvements would be needed for the
majority of the site to complement development
performance and site accessibility.
site survey
“a blank canvas, a fertile ground”
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
PD 1169
DS-5 PD 331
C2-5 M1-3
PD 26 PD 986
M1-3
PD 18
C2-3
PD 40 RT-4
PD 802
RM-5
POS-1
B1-3B3-3B1-3
PD 712RS-3
PD 235
POS-1
RM-5 C3-7
PD 1133
PD 1157
POS-1
POS-1planned developmentdowntown coreresidentialpark and open spacecommercialbusinessmanufacturing
existing dedicated r.o.w. to remainexisting r.o.w. to be vacatednew r.o.w. to be dedicated
The Michael Reese site is currently owned by the
City of Chicago and is designated as a “PD 18” and
“PD 1133”, Planned Developments for Residential,
Businesses and Institutional Uses.
The Marshalling Yard is currently owned by
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and is a
“PD-1055”, Planned Development for Residential,
Businesses and Institutional Uses.
The Northwest parcels are owned by Self-Storage,
McDonalds and Advocate Health and are zoned
as “PD18”, Planned Developments and “M1-3”
Manufacturing.
The Prairie Shores development to the west is
zoned as “RM-5”, Residential.
The Lake Michigan Park and Lake Shore Drive
parcel to the east of the site is designated as “POS-
1”, Park and Open Space.
zoningThe zoning for the Michael Reese site is mostly “Planned Development”. This designation allows the site
to embody the principle of being Flexible and Forward Thinking. Planned Developments have the ability to
contain a multitude of future programmatic elements that will meet the intent of the OPL Guiding Principles.
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
DEMOGR
5 0 T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
RAPHICS
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
1
2 3
4
78
9
10
11 1213
1415
16
20 21
25
26 27
5
6
17
19
18
23 2422
1 Shedd Aquarium2 Field Museum3 Planetarium4 Soldier Field5 Burnham Harbor 6 Northerly Island7 R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. Calumet Plant8 Second Presbyterian Church 9 Blue Heaven Foundation / Chess Records10 Motor Row Historic District 11 Chinatown12 McCormick Place13 Quinn Chapel Church14 Singer Pavilion15 Dunbar High School16 Unity Hall17 Illinois Institute of Technology18 31st. Street Harbor19 Burnham Park20 Victory Sculpture21 Douglas Tomb State Memorial22 US Cellular Field23 Lake Meadows Apartments24 Ellis Park25 King Drive Walk of Fame (Public Art)26 South Side Community Art Center27 Bronzeville
neighborhood cultural amenities
290 Chicago landmarks
93 local Black Metropolis
historic landmarks.
10 colleges.
23 elementary schools. SITE
FUTURE HIGH-DENSITY DEVELOPMENT
BLACK METROPOLIS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
family
culture
community
Bronzeville
5 4
learning
faith
business
is...
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
METRA
5 6 T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
98 acre large development • Although the OPL requires a much smaller parcel of
land, the Michael Reese site is large enough to host
a diverse developmental program that will spur vast
economic development.
Connection to McCormick under Highway 55• Creating a more pedestrian-friendly connection
between the site and McCormick Place will draw
visitors in to explore site assets.
Truck Marshalling yard and Metra Rail Line• Decking over the Metra and Truck Marshalling
yards will allow for vertical development and native
vegetation that has the potential to realize the same
Uranium and radium-contamination• Meeting site ecological performance goals will require
remediation to create a site that is indistinguishable
from nature. Remediation plans have been proposed
and cleanup is necessary for the future vision of the
Chicago Lakefront.
Singer Pavilion Adaptive Reuse• The Singer Pavilion is a building reuse opportunity
that can house multiple uses on site in the future.
Tourism training venues are potential programmatic
uses. A healthcare history museum, a Chicago
Public School and a Chicago Public library are other
potential reuse programs.
•
site conditions & opportunitiesThe Michael Reese site includes elements that may affect development but will ultimately act as key opportunities for
urban renewal:
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
infrastructure: transportation
red linegreen linemetra linebike routesbus routes
3 freeway access points.
3 rail lines.
5 bus routes.
2 major airports.
lakefront trails, sidewalks and
boat docks.
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
4
Reese Hospital site as a crucial high speed internet location.
3
2 10
8
7
6
5
1
9
11
12 13
14
15
HIGH SPEED ZONES
1. Michael Reese Hospital Site 2. West Loop Area3. River North4. Bucktown/Wicker Park5. Ravenswood Industrial Corridor6. McCormick Place/Cermak7. Loyola University8. DePaul University
9. Illinois Medical District10. Loop Area11. IIT12. University of Illinois, Chicago13. Columbia College14. Chicago Roosevelt University15. University of Chicago/University of Chicago Medical Center
-
Individuals of all backgrounds around the world will
have access to this library without physically visiting
this site.
The Michael Reese site is adjacent to high-band-
a critical asset to companies that place a premium
on data speed. Even at the speed of light, distance
matters.
Chicago and the site are at the crossroads of the
(the Lakeside Technology Center at 350 E. Cermak)
is just a few blocks away from the Michael Reese
site.
New companies creating information technology
products and services, and seeking to be close to
large-scale server and bandwidth infrastructure,
Reese site has the potential to give them the edge
they need to succeed in the global economy.
Internet2 is an exceptional community of leaders in
research, academia, industry, and government who
create via innovative technologies. Internet2 seeks
through the Bronzeville Optics Network (BON) and
Illinois Century Network (ICN).
Internet2 is comprised of:
• 252 U.S. universities
• 82 leading corporations
• 41 regional and state education networks
• More than 65 national research and education
networking partners
The site’s close proximity to renowned research
universities, federal research labs, Chicago’s central
business district, and major tech companies will
create educational collaboration networks. K-12
schools, libraries and community colleges will be
able to collaborate with higher education partners
and participate in interactive video-conferencing
programs with the National Park Service, National
Archives, and the Library of Congress.
The OPL Terabit Plaza on the Michael Reese site
has the potential to touch everybody with a cell
phone and/or internet connection.
infrastructure: data
“even at the speed of light, distance
matters”
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
Calumet Core is a 220-square mile opportunity to transform a region in transition into a sustainable land use urban area
project site
The Michael Reese site is situated in the Millennium
Reserve boundary and will be designed to enhance
the ecological performance goals of the Reserve
project and the “America’s Great Outdoors” initiative
launched by President Obama. The Millennium
Reserve project is the largest collaborative of urban
open space in the country and the site will be a
great connector to the natural habitat on Northerly
The project team has partnered with the Biomimicry
Guild to help establish a “Genius of the Place”
for the Michael Reese site that will determine the
ecological performance indicators for the site.
This site size allows for a linkage of ecological
preservation to cultural preservation and will retain
Chicago’s “City in a Garden” reputation by bringing
natural coastal habitat into the site to act as a living
machine.
infrastructure: ecological
6 2 T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
“Biomimicry is taking a design challenge and then emulating
an ecosystem that has already solved that challenge.”
nitrog
en an
d
phos
phoro
us cy
cling
wat
er c
olle
ctio
n an
d st
orag
e
soil building
carbon sequestration
biodiversity
sola
r gai
n an
d
evap
o-tran
spira
tion
BRONZEVILLE
- Janine Benyus, Co-founder and President of the Biomimicry Guild
Project Partner
transp& acce
portationessibility
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
5min walk
Metra Station
Metra Electric District Line
Bus Route
Attraction
5min Walking Distance
In addition to the multiple means of
transportation that are available, the
urban renewal of the Michael Reese
site would also allow for ease of
accessibility within the development.
The site can use existing assets to
operate as a national example of a
Transit Oriented Development (TOD).
Highway 55, Highway 90, the Metra
routes, the McCormick bus-way and
lakefront bike trails currently serve
the site. Future considerations for a
centralized trolley system, Bus rapid
transit systems, a central bike valet and
shower station, and disability transport
assistance would further enhance
accessibility.
The site is not only close to downtown
Chicago assets, but it is also on the way
for tens of thousands of local travelers
going to South Suburbs. Existing transit
systems can deliver potential visitors
with minimal capital expenditures. This
connection would bolster neighborhood
identity and improve connections
between the neighborhood shopping
districts, future Cermak Green Line ‘L’
station, and McCormick Place.
on-site accessibility
6 6 T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
Street Sidewalk
Park Paths
Pedestrian Plaza
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RYT H ET H ET H EH EH EH ET H EH EH BBBB AB AB AB AB ABB AB AB AB AB AB R AR AR AR ARR AR AR A CR A CR AAR A CRR A K OKK OKK OOO B A MB A MB A MB A MB A MB A MB A MBB AB A A PAAA PA PAA PAA R E SR EE SE SE SE SSE SSSSSSSS I D EI D EI D EI D EI D EI DI DD EI DI DI DI D ED ED EEEEEE N T IN TN TN TN TN TN TN TTTTN A LL L I BL I BL I BI BBBL R AR AR AR A RR A RR A RR A RR A RA RR AR A RA RYYYYY6 8 T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
40,000,000 annual visitors
to chicago.
over 400 theaters and art
galleries.
7,300 restaurants.
tourism statistics
e
projectxecution
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
project execution
Placing the Obama Presidential Library on the
Michael Reese site would catalyze development
in Bronzeville and the surrounding South Side
neighborhoods, acting as an anchor for public and
private investment. Estimated economic impact of
the OPL on the Michael Reese site would exceed
previous projections.
Current development trends for the area are positive
over the long-term, but the OPL would accelerate
growth and substantially improve its quality.
Summarized below are development projections
for the Bronzeville area if the OPL is built on the
Michael Reese site.
Michael Reese Site Projected Economic DevelopmentAnnually 20-year period
Residential 400 units 8,000 unitsRetail 37,500 SF 750,000 SF
25,000 SF 500,000 SFHotel Rooms 125 rooms 2,500 roomsOPL Factor 25%
economic impact
If the Michael Reese site is selected to host the
OPL, the President Obama Library and Museum
Campus Foundation would work with its existing
partners and core team members to formally
of the project. To purchase the site from the City
of Chicago we have launched an international
crowdfunding campaign to raise the necessary
capital. As a 501 (c)(3) organization, we have asked
the Chicago Community Trust to serve as our
with any university, we are open to exploring
to best serve the surrounding community and the
vision of the Barack Obama Foundation.
7 2
Further analysis shows that the OPL would draw
1.2 million tourists to the area due to its proximity
to nearby Chicago and Bronzeville cultural assets.
Nearly 15 million tourists visit McCormick Place,
Motor Row, China Town, IIT, and US Cellular Field
every year. Placing the OPL as close to these sites
as possible will draw visitors from these locations.
These visitors would spend $40 per capita (a
conservative estimate) mainly at local existing and
new businesses. This spending would encourage
prosperity without displacement and provide an
estimated 13,234 jobs for the nearby community.
The library would be directly responsible for 25% of
real estate development in the immediate area.
A number of other factors make the Michael Reese
site an ideal driver for Economic Impact:
• Locating OPL near National Heritage Tourism
sites. 78% of adult travelers are heritage
travelers that stay longer and spend more
money per visit.
• The size of the site allows for well-designed
natural green space like Millennium Park which
attracts 5 million visitors generates $78 million
in tax revenue, and supports $1.4 billion worth
of nearby residential developments.
outlined below.
Michael Reese Site Projected Economic DevelopmentEstimated Impact from Spending at New Development ($000’s)
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 10 Year 20Spendingat New Retail $15,000 $15,375 $15,759 $16,153 $16,557 $18,733 $23,980at New Hotels 4,585 9,469 14,665 20,188 26,054 61,114 167,899OPL Oper. Budget 10,000 11,314 14,4831.2 M. Tourist @ $40 ea 33,600 36,000 38,400 43,200 48,000 54,308 69,518 Total Spending $53,185 $60,844 $68,825 $79,542 $100,612 $145,468 $275,880OPL Factor 25%Direct Spending $53,185 $60,844 $68,825 $79,542 $100,612 $145,468 $275,880Indirect Spending 17,551 20,079 22,712 26,249 33,202 48,005 91,040Induced Spending 22,870 26,163 29,595 34,203 43,263 62,551 118,628 Total Spend $93,606 $107,086 $121,131 $139,994 $177,076 $256,024 $485,548 Jobs 1,615 2,232 2,848 3,756 4,440 7,340 13,234 Tax Revenue $13,105 $14,992 $16,958 $19,599 $24,791 $35,843 $67,97725% Attr. to OPL Total Spend $23,402 $26,771 $30,283 $34,998 $44,269 $64,006 $121,387 Jobs 404 558 712 939 1,110 1,835 3,308 Tax Revenue $3,276 $3,748 $4,240 $4,900 $6,198 $8,961 $16,994
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
3 miles from downtown+$291M additional tourism dollars+5000 additional full-time jobs93 nearby designated landmarks in bronzeville
21% unemployment23% living in poverty$34K median income207 foreclosures per square mile
...harness south side potential , draw from downtown...
economic development
7 4
1.2M additional tourists$14M increase in tax revenue3,132 permanent jobs & 3,280 temporary jobs6,000 residential units2,500 hotel rooms750,000 square feet of retail
...&
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
armour armstrong ashburn ashe asian human services charter aspira attucks audubon austin business and entrepreneurship austin polytech avalon park back of the yards banner academy west barnard barry barton bass bateman beard beasley beaubien beethoven beidler belding bell belmont-cragin bennett brentano bridge bright brighton park bronzeville bronzeville lighthouse brooks brown brownell brunson budlong burbank burke burley burnham/anthony burnside burr z byrne burroughs
ck blaine blair gan bond boone uchet bowen adwell brennemann
carroll/rosenwald carson carter carver carver military academy casals cassell castellanos catalyst-howland catalyst charter catalyst circle rock cather
caat caldwell calmeca academy camelot safe academy cameron canter canty cardenas carnegie chicago ag chicago chtr collegiate chicago excel contr acad chicago high school for the arts chicago military academy chicago talent chicago vocational chopin chistopher avalon basil bucktown quest ellison irving park larry hawkins lloyd bond academy
chalm-ers
chappell chase chavez chicago
academy
longwood campus loomis primary northtown prairie washington park westbelden wrightwood claremont clark academic prep clark clay clemente
cleveland clinton clissold cmsa coleman coles collinsg p p yg p p y
academy columbia explorers columbus community links cook coonly cooper corkery corliss courtney crane crown csw career academy cuffe cullen curie curtis cvcs daley darwin davis daws de diego decatur deneen depriest dett dever devry dewey dirksen disney disney ii dixon dodge doolittle east dore douglass drake drummond dubois dulles dunbar dunne durkin park dusable dvorak dyett earhart earle eberhart ebinger edgebrook edison edison park edwardseecs ellington epic eric solorio ericson esmond
everett evergreen evers excel fairfield falconer faraday farnsworth farragut fenger fernwood field finkl fiske foreman fort dearborn foster park franklin frazier fuller fulton funston gage park galapagos gale galileo gallistel garvey garvy gary gillespie goethe goode goudy graham gray greeley green greene gregory greshem grimes/fleming grissom gunsaulus haines hale haley hamilton hamline hammond hampton hancock
hanson park harlan harper harte harvard haugan hawthorne hay hayt healy hearst hedges hefferan henderson hendricks henry hendry ford hearst hedges hefferan henderson hendricks henry hendry ford hernandez herzi hibbard higgins hinton hirsh hitch holden holmes hope hope institute howe hoyne hubbard hughes hurley hyde park infinity instituto acad instituto justice - rudy lozano inter-american intrinsic irving jackson jahn jamieson jefferson jenner jensen johnson jones joplin jordan juarez julian jungman kanoon keller kellman kellogg kelly kelvyn park kennedy kenwood kershaw kilmer king kinzie kipling kipp kipp-ascend kipp-bloom kozminski kwame nkrumah academy lake view lane tech langford lara lasalle lasalle ii lavizzo lawndale excel romano butler south chicago campbell
hunter perkins charter 7 learn middle school lee legacy legal prep leland lenart lewis libby lincoln lincoln park lindblom linne little black pearl little village lloyd locke logandale lorca lovett lowell lozano lyon madero madison magic johnson-north lawndale magic johnson-south shore manierre manley mann mariano azuela marine academy marquette marsh marshall marvin camras mason mather mayer mays mcauliffe mcclellan mccormick mccutcheon mcdade mcdade mcdowell mckay mcnair mcpherson melody metcalfe mireles mitchell mollison monroe montefiore montessori-englewood moos morgan park morrill morton mozart mt greenwood mt vernon multicultural arts school murphy murray namaste nashteachers academy neil nettelhorst new field
newberry nicholson nightingale ninos heroes nixon nlcp-christiana nlcp-collins nobel noble street-bulls noble street-corner noble street-golder noble street-johnson noble street-muchin noble street-pritzker noble street-purple noble street-rauner noble street-rowe-clark noble street-silver noble street charter
noble street-crimson noble street-orange north river north-grand northside college prep northsidelearning center northwest middle norwood park ogden oglesby o’keeffe ombudsman onahan oriole park orozco orr academy ortiz de dominguez otis o’toole owen owens palmer parkmanor parker parkside pasteur pathways pathways-avondale payton college prep peace &education peck pecs peirce penn perez pershing east perspectives charter perspectives josliperspectives/iit peterson phillips phoenix military academy piccolo pickard pilsen pirie plamondon plato poe classical polaris portage park powell academy prescott prieto pritzker
prologue prologue-johnston prosser prussing pulaski pullman raby ravenswood ray reavis reilly reinberg revere richard t crane richardacademy rickover naval academy robeson robinson rogers roosevelt rudolph ruggles ruiz ryder sabin salazar sandoval saucedo sausawyer sayre scammon schmid school of leadership schubert schurseward shabazz sheridan sherman sherwood shields shoesmith ssimeon simpson sizemore skinner smith smyser smyth social justsolomon south loop south shore fine arts south shore international southsidspry stagg steinmetz stem magnet stevenson stock stone stowe sullivan sumner sutherland swift taft talcott talman tanner tarkin
team telpochcalli thomas thorp tilden till turner-drew twain uic college prep uofc-donoguofc-woodlawn uofc-woodson uno-51st and homuno-fuentes uno-marquez uno-near west unouno-paz uno-st marks uno-tamayo uno-torresuno-sandra ciscneros uno charter high school ununo-soccer uplift urban prep-bronzeville
urban prep-englewood urban prep-west v.o.i.s.e. vanderpoel v.o.i.s.e. vanderpoel vaughn vick volta von steuben wa
walsh ward warren was washington waters webster wells wen
west ridge westcott westinghouse whistler white whitney whitney wildwood world magnet williams prep winnie mandela woodlawn woodso
yates yccs-addams yccs-aspira pantoja yccs-austin yccs-campos yccs-cca
chatham yccs-community academy yccsyccs-houston yccs-innovations yccs-la
mckinley yccs-olive harvey yccs-sullyccs-virtual yccs-west town yccs-wests
youth development york young women’s
wel
bo
wood mt vash national
n nlcp-christiana noble street-golder
ker noble street-puer noble street ch
ide college prep ombudsm
noble noble stree
e college pre
reet-e str
str
dna
p-ce stroblobleolle
rse
by
rr
m
camcc
jom
maocke
inso r
myp
asp
tisa
kn
ro
n
itney whwen
h
ac
e ru
h
haera
ham
ougal
fonsw h
histler whingw
anpre
p
oe
et
k
epr
clevg
s
cago
dey
ell
b
er h
beldn ss
A M
The central location and size of the Michael Reese
site allows for a development plan that creates a Local
Education Collaboration Zone. This zone would be an urban
laboratory and research institution for not just one, but
many higher education institutions, K-12 schools, and local
technology companies.
A Chicago Public School collaboration lab would be
located on-site. This urban learning lab can play host to
the groups mentioned above and give local K-12 students
an opportunity to pursue a career in Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math (STEM).
educational impact
7 6
in n-
randolph ds career rowe
uganash rz senn shoop ice high de spencer
suder ngton taylor tilton tonti
ghue uofc-nko man uno-casas
-northside uno-zizumbo no-immaculate
urban prep-west acker wadsworth
shington high school ntworth west park young whittier
on world language a yccs-association a academy yccs-s-community service atino youth yccs-livan yccs-truman ide historic yccs-leadership young
n-
nton
rth
dsgh
est
chicago metro5 major research institutions
12 colleges
65,000 Loop college students
649 K-12 Chicago Public Schools
400,545 CPS students P-12
regional7 big ten schools
bronzeville 121,793 people
4,682 high school students
7,616 elementary students
23 elementary schools
10 high schools
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
notebaert nature museum 277,410
chicago history museum 224,536
museum of contemporary art 232,637
art institute 232,637
shedd aquarium 2,169,333
adler planetarium 479,463
1,247,708
3,308 jobs for nearby residents
1,000,000 visitors/year+200,000 w/ downtown proximity
$1 billion annual revenue+$485 million w/ downtown proximity
museum of science and industry 1,456,985
dusable museum 102,603
27th St
McCormick
18th St
12th St/roos.
OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL
LIBRARY 3-mile stretch of lakefront access
natural coastal habitat with 137 species of birds
103-acre burnham wildlife corridor
26-mile public lakeshore park system
26-mile boulevard network, started in 1869
18-mile lakefront trail
continuation of millennium reserve and
CULT
URAL
NECK
LACE
EXISTING M
ETRA
STATIO
NS
ECOLOGICAL
NECKLACE
tourismLocating the OPL near existing Chicago cultural sites,
Bronzeville Heritage attractions, and multiple alternative
transportation options will drive high levels of attendance to
not only the OPL, but to other undervalued assets nearby.
1,200,000 visitors“Where are we going to draw
tourists? That’s going to be a key factor that might favor,
for example... the Michael Reese site.”
- Tom Corfman, Political Editor, Crain’s Chicago Business
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
1
2
3
4
6
5
8
7
9
enhancements to the physical environment
1. Metra/Multi-modal Station
4. Obama Library
3. Vertical Farms & Market
9. Coastal Habitat & Bird Sanctuary
2. Bike Storage/Shower Facility
5. Urban Sustainability Center
7. Living Machine Promenade
6. Education Collaboration Zone
8. Tech Center
The Michael Reese site is currently a 98-acre blank canvas.
A site of this size and condition has the greatest opportunity
enhance the current environment. The proposed design
for the OPL includes everything from natural habitat to
vertical farms to technology and education collaboration
zones. Some of the proposed enhancements to the physical
environment can be seen below.
coenga
mmunityagement
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RYT H ET H ET HT H ET H EHT HH EH B AB AB AAB AB AA R A CR A CR A CA CR A CR AR A CR A K OK OK OK O OK OK O B A MB A MB A MB A MA MB A MB A MA M A PA PA PA PA PA PPP R E SR E SR E SR E SR E SRR E S I D EI D EI D EI D ED ED E N T IN T IN T IN T IN T IN TNNNN A LA LA LA LA LA LA LAA LLAA L I BL I BL I BL I BL I BL I BL I BLL I BL IL I BB R A RR A RR A RR A RR A RR A RR A RR A RR A RR A RR AAAAA YYYYYYYYYY
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – RESPECT, TRUST, PURPOSE, SUCCESS
The most empowering community engagement
brings together numerous interests – civic and
business leaders, citizens and communities – in one
respect and trust. All work together with a common
purpose and vision for long-lasting success.
CORE PRINCIPLES Core principles shape and guide community
engagement:
• Inform
• Consult
• Involve
• Collaborate
• Empower
PILLARS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – CRITERIA
Seven pillars anchor an effective community
engagement strategy:
Involvement – invite all stakeholders: people, groups
and organizations
• Support – develop approaches to overcome
barriers to involvement
• Planning – identify needs and available
resources for the scope of engagement
actionable steps and milestones
• Communication – create effective methods for
sharing, accessing, and listening in meaningful
ways
• Improvement – continue to improve
engagement through dialogue and process
evaluation; build upon best practices
• Feedback – provide meaningful ways to listen
to community ideas and concerns to continually
take the pulse of engagement
• Evaluation – establish criteria and methods
to continuously evaluate the engagement
program in both quantitative and qualitative
measurements
community engagement
8 4 T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
OUTREACH TOOLKIT
Numerous tools for effective outreach at the local,
national and international level exist to build and
sustain engagement.
• Audit existing communication resources within
communities and among groups and business
organizations
• Jump-start best practices
•
• Establish quarterly public forums throughout
the community to update, engage, and capture
feedback
• Utilize Arts & Culture to engage community
• Participants express creativity
• Helps develop common vision
• Spurs more dialogue
• Live stream events for national and
international connectivity
• Workshops and Focus Groups
• Allows for small to medium-sized groups
to participate in one-day events to provide
direct input
• Technology
• Utilize an “open space” technology
approach where applicable to connect the
local community to the global community.
EVALUATION
Effective community engagement must include a
meaningful process for evaluation to:
• Help set objectives
• Monitor progress
• Measure achievements
• Identify lessons for improved best practices
COLLECTING DATA
Getting baseline ongoing data on the community
engagement process, through:
• Interviews and focus groups
• Questionnaires to groups following key
meetings and events
• Online surveys
Co-Chairs:Illinois State Senator Mattie HunterIllinois State Representative
Members:Carol L. Adams, PhDBarbara AllenTimuel Black, PhD
Michelle T. BooneMelissa Cherry Ronald ChildsMatthew CooperWarren ChapmanAlbert R. Grace Jr. James GrossmanZada Johnson, PhDRa JoyDarlene Clarke Hine, PhD
Lyn Hughes, PhDEileen R. Mackevich Terry Mazany Quintin E. Primo IIIPaula RobinsonJohn Rowe Ernest SawyerWilliam A Von Hoene, Jr.Laura S. WashingtonNikki Zollar
2016 Great Migration Centennial Commission
indic
ations ofsupport
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
1368 N. Mohawk Chicago, IL 60610-4692
312-751-1693www.campdouglas.org
David L. Keller Managing Director June 13, 2014
H. The Barack Obama F on300 East Randolph Street, Suite 4030 Chicago, Illinois 60601 Dear Mr. The Camp Douglas is developing a museum to be located on the site of the Civil War military camp, Camp Douglas. This facility is likely to be a part of a “museum campus” devoted to historic Bronzeville. In the F on is programs in the Bronzeville community and throughout Chicagoland to increase awareness of the history of the area during the Civil War. Over the past three years we have sponsored three archaeological on the Camp Douglas site. Camp Douglas, of 60 acres, located between 31st Street, 33rd Place, Co Grove and Giles Avenues, was the largest military facility in Chicago during the Civil War; training 40,000 Union soldiers and housing a total of 30,000 Confederate prisoners during its existence between 1861 and 1865. The of the Barack Obama Library on the former site of the Michael Reese Hospital would be an important and meaningful to the Bronzeville community adding to the historic of the community. Located is close proximity to the downtown area within easy for Chicagoans and visitors alike, we strongly support this as the museum’s home. Sincerely,
8 8
Center for Neighborhood Technology 2125 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL 60647 p: (773) 278-4800 www.cnt.org
June 16, 2014 Martin H. Nesbitt The Barack Obama Foundation 300 East Randolph Street, Suite 4030 Chicago, IL 60601 Dear Mr. Nesbitt: The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on creating sustainable and equitable communities, is proud to have worked for many years with parties involved with the revitalization of the South Side of Chicago. Our efforts range from transit and active transportation initiatives, to historic preservation, energy and water conservation, and green infrastructure installations in neighborhoods throughout Chicagoland and across the country. We are pleased to submit this letter of support for the development of the South Lakefront Michael Reese Hospital site as the Global Chicago anchor for an Obama Library and Museum Campus, including the people-intensive Museum venue, designed as an Online Library Platform with other universities/libraries and heritage/conservation places in the City of Chicago and around the world. CNT has pioneered tools for transit-oriented development and provided consumers and planners tools for decision-making. Our Housing and Transportation (H+T ) Affordability Index, for example, demonstrates how the combined costs of housing and transportation impact the true affordability of place. We also recently launched Transit Future (www.transitfuture.org), a campaign to create a new investment stream for improved and expanded public transit in Cook County. Transit Future is supported by community, business and public organizations, and led by Jacky Grimshaw, CNT’s Vice President for Policy, who also serves on the board of directors of President Obama Library and Museum Campus Foundation. All of our work aims to provide the imagination, information, and innovation to create more efficient, equitable, and livable urban communities. In this spirit, we look forward to working with the Presidential Library Foundation to create a destination that represents the best of Chicago for our fellow Americans and for visitors from countries all over the world. Sincerely yours,
Kathryn Tholin CEO Cc: Obama Presidential Library and Museum Campus Foundation
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY
PO BOX 6276 CHICAGO ILLINOIS 60680-6276 10406 SOUTH MARYLAND AVENUE CHICAGO IL 60628 ▪ 773-850-8580
WWW.AprPullmanPorterMuseum.org
June 14, 2014 Martin H. Nesbitt The Barack Obama Foundation 300 East Randolph Street, Suite 4030 Chicago, Illinois 60601 Dear Mr. Nesbitt, By way of introduction I am Dr. Lyn Hughes founder of the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, located the Historic Pullman district, and I am also the founder of the Center for Black Labor Research Culture and Education. I write this letter to demonstrate and inform the committee of my support of the RFQ being submitted by the President Obama Library & Museum Campus Foundation for the proposed site to be located at the former Michael Reese Hospital location. While I applaud all of the groups submitting an RFQ for this magnificent project, I am somewhat saddened that there are multiple submittals all being submitted by people who have worked together in the past and in most we cases continue to do so. Just think of what a tremendous submission it could have been if all of them worked on a singular proposal. There are numerous academic institutions that are a part of the various teams, but it is my opinion—this kind of Cultural Economic Development project presents an unprecedented opportunity for a collective of a much more unique opportunity. More important, it could serve as a model for the nation. While the composition of the foundation itself is not officially an academic institution, the participants, partners, board members, advisors etc. include people like me. Many of us hold advanced degrees and have participated in scholarly research projects for decades. Our concept is that the Obama Campus would work with Multiple Universities. My own research has been focused on Black labor History and Cultural Economic Development. In fact, the title of my doctoral dissertation was: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF CULTURAL POLICY ON CULTURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. CED is a relatively new phenomenon with limitless potential, and in this case could not only become an economic engine based upon both the national and international tourism attraction, the umbrella for CED—but it also has the potential to have a major economic and cultural impact upon segments of the community that are often left out in the disbursement of the meaningful resources.
9 0
PO BOX 6276 CHICAGO ILLINOIS 60680-6276 10406 SOUTH MARYLAND AVENUE CHICAGO IL 60628 ▪ 773-850-8580
WWW.AprPullmanPorterMuseum.org
In addition to our own respective efforts with our own respective organizations and institution, many of us have spent countless volunteer hours, supporting the effort to obtain National Heritage Area designation anchored in the Bronzeville community. That initiative has spawned multiple efforts like the Great Migration Centennial, which includes a collaborative project, between the Bronzeville Convention and Tourism Council and the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum. The tour itself has developed into an international tourist attraction. In the past month alone, the tour has brought visitors to the south side of Chicago from England and the Netherlands. This is just example of the kind of activity this initiative, the Obama Presidential Library & Museum Campus could /make for Chicago, but specifically for the urban community in general. It is my sincere hope that you give thorough and favorable consideration to their RFQ. Sincerely,
Lyn Hughes, Founder President Emeritus A Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum CC: Paula Robinson, President Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission
T H E B A R A C K O B A M A P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A RY9 2
Top Related