The Obama Presidential Center is expected to provide an economic boost to Chicago.
As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the 19-acre campus is an $800 million museum and public gathering space honoring the legacy of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. It will open its doors on Juneteenth in Chicago’s South Side.
In an Instagram post, Obama described the center as a “hub for change” and recognized it would be a place for “leaders and people from all over the world to come together, get inspired, and take what they learn back to their own communities.”
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The center is expected to attract 700,000 visitors annually, according to ABC7 Chicago.
“We’ve been waiting for it for such a long time, so it’s exciting to see it come to fruition, and we are just looking forward to meeting all the new guests from all around the world,” said Sheinette Williams with Hyatt Place, Chicago South, University Medical Center, per the outlet.
What’s more, the center’s existence will create more jobs in the area and boost nearby businesses. Malki Brown, founder of MGE Property Solutions, said he has been hiring more clients and workers to support development around the Obama Presidential Center.
“That’s what we’re about, and that’s who we try to partner with to create jobs in the community, and that’s what Obama is doing; it’s giving us an opportunity to share the wealth,” Brown told ABC7 Chicago.
Tonya Trice, the executive director of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, commented:
“There is a revenue leakage in the South Shore community of $845 million annually. This is an opportunity to close that revenue gap by offering service and amenities that tourists would like to see.”
Courtney Woods is the co-owner of the bookstore Da Book Joint, located in the South Shore community at 6900 S. Stony Island Ave.
“There are now active tourists on the South Side. They aren’t just staying downtown. They aren’t staying in the Loop. They are actually able to experience the full city,” she said, according to ABC7 Chicago.
Ahead of the center’s grand opening, South Side hotels are seeing a surge of bookings, reports the outlet. While the exact amount of revenue that center will generate for the area is unknown, businesses remain hopeful.
