Gaynor Hall and Gabriel Castillo
1 hour ago
CHICAGO — Residents living near the site of the future Obama Presidential Center took their concerns directly to the mayor on Saturday.
Residents who live near the site where the center is being built have been concerned for years about rising housing costs.
In 2020, the City Council passed the Woodlawn Preservation Ordinance, an effort led by the Obama CBA Coalition to protect current residents from eviction.
But some local leaders say the protections don't go far enough and don't include the South Shore.
On Saturday afternoon at Hyde Park Academy, renters and homeowners packed the auditorium to hear Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speak in person.
“We look forward to seeing this center completed, but we must ensure it benefits the residents of our city, especially the South Shore,” Johnson said.
Last year, Councilman Desmon Yancey (Ward 5) introduced the South Shore Community Benefits Agreement ordinance to promote equitable development, preserve affordable housing and expand protections for tenants in communities that have historically ranked among the top for evictions in the city.
But on Saturday, the mayor told the crowd that broader support is needed to combat the displacement.
“We have to include other voices,” Johnson said.
Johnson said a hearing on the issue is scheduled to be held next month.
The center is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
