The race to land Obama’s presidential library pits Honolulu against Chicago
Photo Credit: President Barack Obama attends an interfaith vigil on Dec 16 for the victims of the South Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown. Surely one of his defining speeches that will feature in the future presidential library. Abaca Press / Olivier Douliery
Skift Take
Considering the historical significance of the first African-American president, the library, wherever it may be, promises to instantly become one of the most visited sites in U.S.
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The site where Michael Reese Hospital once stood isn't much to look at, just a 37-acre swath of overgrown land in Bronzeville, behind a shoddy chain-link fence.
Developers are itching to build a casino or perhaps a sports entertainment complex on the city-owned property located in the shadows of downtown near the south lakefront. But residents of this historic African-American community have something grander in mind.
They envision a Barack Obama presidential library.
"This area tells the story of Chess Records, gospel music, blues and jazz, electrified by Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters," said Harold Lucas, president of the Black Metropolis Convention & Tourism Council in Bronzeville. "When people come to Chicago, that's what they want to see. They want to see the birthplace of Mr. Obama's political career."
Though Obama has not commented publicly about his plans f
