The Obama Presidential Center officially opens its doors Thursday in Chicago's Jackson Park, marking a milestone for the South Side neighborhood and the legacy of the 44th president. The nearly 20-acre campus will host a star-studded ceremony before opening to the public on Friday.
The $850 million project blends political history with personal touches, including art installations, a library, a basketball court, and a picnic area with grills. Officials expect between 600,000 and 1 million visitors annually.
Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation and a longtime Obama confidante, expressed pride in the center. “It exceeds my wildest expectations,” she said. “We worked with the community to help us on the design and the jobs and the feel. I think people will feel at home here. This is such a day of pride.”
Barack and Michelle Obama greeted former campaign and staff members Wednesday night at a VIP event at the Salt Shed. “It’s probably one of the most fabulous institutions that’s been opened up in the country,” Michelle said. Barack added, “I want people to go in there and be reminded of what’s possible.”
The opening ceremony, scheduled to start at 11 a.m. CT, features a powerhouse lineup: The Roots, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Common, Eddie Vedder, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Marc Anthony, Tems, U2’s Bono and The Edge, and Marsai Martin. Three former presidents—Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush—are expected to attend, according to a source familiar with the event, as the Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday.
The center’s opening comes amid a politically charged landscape. Biden, Clinton, and Bush’s joint appearance underscores the bipartisan respect Obama commands, even as current divisions persist. The event also highlights the ongoing influence of the Obama coalition, which figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have sought to channel in recent campaigns.
For Chicago, the center represents a major investment in the South Side, a community that has long grappled with disinvestment. Local leaders hope the center will drive economic growth and tourism, though some critics have raised concerns about traffic and displacement.
The Obama Foundation plans to stream the ceremony live on its website, and Nexstar’s WGN will carry it on-air and online. As the center opens, it stands as a tangible reminder of Obama’s presidency and the broader political currents that continue to shape the nation.
