Obama’s eyesore library in crisis as black and Hispanic builders accuse former President of multi-million-dollar betrayal… and behind scenes chaos threatens to boil over: ‘They’re crushing them’
Barack Obama’s presidential centre in Chicago has exceeded $1 billion in construction costs and outstanding commitments, nearly three times its initial estimate. Some minority-owned contractors say they are still owed substantial sums for work on the project, raising questions about whether the centre has delivered on its promise to support businesses on the city’s South Side.
One plumber says he is owed $1.7 million, had to lay off 25 union workers and shut his business after invoices went unpaid. The contractors’ association says several firms faced financial trouble amid delayed payments and disputed invoices or change orders. Separately, more than 250 foundation and centre employees are seeking to unionise over concerns including healthcare costs, reduced benefits and workloads; the foundation says it respects their right to organise.
In short
- The centre’s costs and commitments have topped $1 billion.
- Contractors say millions remain unpaid.
- More than 250 staff are seeking to unionise.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The contractors’ accounts raise serious questions about whether the project has met its commitment to support South Side businesses, particularly if delayed or disputed payments left firms unable to pay workers or stay open. Employees seeking to unionise may also reasonably view collective bargaining as a way to address healthcare costs, benefits and workloads.
The case against
A large, complex construction project can involve disputed invoices and change orders, so reported payment disputes alone do not establish that the centre deliberately betrayed contractors; the specific claims and accounts would need to be resolved fairly. The foundation may also argue that cost overruns and workplace concerns deserve scrutiny on their merits, while respecting employees’ right to organise and allowing a process to address their concerns.
Explained simply
Barack Obama’s presidential centre is being built on Chicago’s South Side, where Obama grew up and began his political career. A presidential centre is a private institution that preserves a president’s papers and records and hosts exhibitions and public programmes; this one is being developed by the Obama Foundation.
The project was presented as a source of jobs and opportunities for local businesses, including firms owned by people from racial minority groups. Large building projects often involve many contractors, who may rely on timely payments to cover wages, suppliers and other costs.
The foundation and the centre also employ hundreds of people. Their working conditions and benefits are part of a separate debate about whether staff should be represented by a union, which negotiates with an employer on workers’ behalf.