The cost of building the Obama Presidential Library in Chicago has risen to nearly $850 million, far exceeding the original estimates for the high-profile project.

The library, located in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side, has faced mounting expenses, community concerns, and delays since construction began in 2021, as Breitbart reports.

When the center was first proposed, planners anticipated costs around $300 million. That figure increased to $500 million by 2017, rose to $700 million in 2021, and has now climbed even higher, approaching $850 million.

Community pushback ensues

Supporters of the project point to the cultural and economic opportunities the library could bring. However, residents and local leaders argue that the expansion is driving up rents and displacing families in nearby neighborhoods.

Alderwoman Jeannette Taylor expressed concerns about the consequences of such development. “We’re going to see rents go higher and we’re going to see families displaced,” she said.

Taylor added that large-scale projects often come with unintended effects. “Every time large development comes to communities, they displace the very people they say they want to improve it for,” she explained.

Delays, policies shape construction process

The center broke ground in 2021, but it has experienced several delays. It is currently scheduled to open in spring 2026, although that timeline remains uncertain due to legal challenges and slow progress.

According to a construction foreman, the building process was affected by internal rules. “It was all very woke from the time they broke ground in 2021,” the foreman remarked.

He recalled frequent visits from foundation staff. “Every so often a bunch of staffers from the Obama Foundation wearing little badges would come by the site and they’d ask us silly questions like, are you white, straight, gay, trans, whatever. It was ridiculous,” he said.

Foundation fundraising, spending examined

The Obama Foundation, which oversees the library, has raised more than $1 billion for the project. Last year alone, it received a $195 million cash boost to support the work.

Despite the rising construction bills, the foundation has invested in signature features, such as an 83-foot painted glass window by artist Julie Mehretu to decorate the exterior of the main building.

The organization’s financial priorities have also drawn attention because of executive pay. CEO Valerie Jarrett earned $740,000 last year, while executive vice president Robin Cohen made more than $600,000 and chief legal and people officer Tina Chen received $425,000.

Local concerns persist

Residents of Chicago’s South Side have voiced frustration over the changes the library is bringing to their community. Some have gone so far as to call the development an “eyesore.”

The debates surrounding the project reflect broader tensions between urban renewal and community stability. While backers highlight future economic benefits, opponents stress the immediate strain on housing and affordability.

With completion not expected until 2026, both supporters and critics will continue to watch how the Obama Presidential Library unfolds -- as its costs, policies, and neighborhood impact remain at the center of public debate.