The Obama Presidential Center faces a $40 million racial discrimination lawsuit, adding to existing controversies surrounding the project’s ambitious design and soaring costs.
Quick Takes
- II in One, a subcontractor, sues Thornton Tomasetti for $40 million, alleging racial discrimination in construction standards.
- The center’s cost has ballooned from $500 million to $800 million, partly due to DEI and environmental goals.
- Unlike traditional presidential libraries, the center won’t house a research library or archive overseen by the National Archives.
- Community concerns persist regarding gentrification and environmental impact.
- The Obama Foundation denies any racist intent in the project’s execution.
Discrimination Lawsuit Hits Obama Center
In a shocking turn of events, the Obama Presidential Center, a project meant to embody principles of diversity and inclusion, now faces serious allegations of racial discrimination. II in One, a Chicago-based subcontractor, has filed a $40 million lawsuit against engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti, claiming unfair treatment during the center’s construction.
Robert McGee, owner of II in One, alleges that Thornton Tomasetti imposed “excessively rigorous and unnecessary” standards and inspections, causing significant financial losses to his company. This action, according to McGee, “directly undermined the Obama Foundation’s DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) goals and commitments and mission to bring transformative change to the construction industry and local community.”
Foundation’s Response and Project Complications
The Obama Foundation, while not directly involved in the lawsuit, has been quick to distance itself from the allegations. Emily Bittner, a spokesperson for the foundation, stated, “We have no reason to believe that Thornton Tomasetti acted with racist intent.” This statement, however, does little to quell the growing controversy surrounding the project.
“If the Foundation believed that any vendor was acting with a racist intent, we would immediately take appropriate action” – Emily Bittner
The racial discrimination lawsuit is just the latest in a series of setbacks for the Obama Presidential Center. The project has faced numerous delays and mounting community opposition, with concerns ranging from rising housing prices to environmental impact. These issues have contributed to a significant increase in the center’s cost, which has skyrocketed from an initial estimate of $500 million to a staggering $800 million.
The engineering firm tasked with designing former President Barack Obama's presidential library has reportedly been hit with a $40 million lawsuit from a Chicago-based subcontractor alleging racial discrimination. https://t.co/XubPr5hvYR
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) February 2, 2025
A Departure from Traditional Presidential Libraries
Unlike other presidential libraries, the Obama Presidential Center is breaking with tradition in several key aspects. Most notably, it will not house a research library or archive overseen by the National Archives and Records Administration. Instead, the complex will feature a museum, fitness center, recording studio, playground, teaching kitchen, and even a sledding hill.
This departure from the norm raises questions about the center’s role as a historical institution and its ability to provide scholars and researchers with access to important presidential records. Critics argue that this shift away from traditional archival functions diminishes the center’s educational value and historical significance.
Looking Ahead
Despite the ongoing controversies and legal challenges, the Obama Foundation remains optimistic about the center’s potential impact on Chicago’s South Side. The foundation emphasizes the project’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as its potential to spur economic development in the surrounding community.
However, as the discrimination lawsuit unfolds and cost overruns continue to mount, it remains to be seen whether the Obama Presidential Center can overcome these obstacles and fulfill its ambitious vision. The project’s success or failure may have far-reaching implications for future presidential libraries and the communities they aim to serve.
Sources:
- The Dean of UCLA Medical School Says It Does Not Discriminate Based on Race. His Own Research Center Runs a Minorities-Only Fellowship.
- Obama Center subcontractor files $40M discrimination lawsuit against engineering firm for overruns
- Obama’s $800M Presidential Center Slapped With DEI Lawsuit
