An Historic Opportunity.
An Historic Opportunity
The Obama Presidential Center (OPC) is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring tranformational cultural, economic, and educational benefits to the South Side and the entire City of Chicago. Chicago won the honor of hosting the President Barack Obama presidential center after a months-long process that included extensive community engagement.
The City of Chicago, through the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), is working on several roadway changes and transportation improvement projects in Jackson Park that will support the OPC and the Chicago Park District's South Lakefront Framework Plan. When these projects are completed, they will support a revitalized Jackson Park and strengthen the surrounding area.
The City, the Chicago Park District and the Obama Foundation have offered a range of ways for the community to share feedback on the OPC, related transportation projects, the extensive federal review process, and updates to the South Lakefront Framework Plan.
Following a public process, the OPC was approved by the Chicago Plan Commission in May 2018, and subsequently the City Council. In addition, the OPC site and accompanying roadway changes designed to enhance connectivity and circulation in and around Jackson Park underwent a three-year federal review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as well as consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, all of which required extensive public review. This process concluded in February 2021. The Chicago Department of Transportation will begin construction of the transportation improvements in Summer 2021.
Transportation Improvements
The public way improvements will address changes in travel patterns resulting from Jackson Park roadway closures. In addition, strategic safety and operational improvements to the surrounding transportation network will improve access and circulation for cyclists and pedestrians, while also ensuring that vehicle travel times do not increase.
Public way improvements include:
Over 5 acres of new and better connected green space
2.5 miles of new or reconstructed shared use pathways and sidewalks
3 new underpasses for improved safety and mobility of pedestrians and cyclists
Curb extensions and median refuge spaces for increased pedestrian safety
New landscaped medians with trees on Stony Island Avenue
New pump station to address flooding at 59th Street pedestrian underpass under Lake Shore Drive
New interconnected traffic signals
New LED street lighting
Construction of the transportation improvements will be broken into three contracts:
Construction Package #1 will focus on work north of 64th Street
Construction Package #2 will focus on work south of 64th Street
Construction Package #3 will focus on pedestrian underpasses south of 64th Street
Construction Info
Construction Package #1 will include improvements to Lake Shore Drive, Hayes Drive, and Stony Island Avenue. All work will be coordinated with the construction of the Obama Presidential Center and will be constructed in phases in order to minimize the inconvenience for neighborhood residents, park users, and motorists.
Park Access
The project will maintain community access to trails, Chicago Park District buildings, ball fields, golfing, and parking lots during construction except for use of and parking at the Boat Launch and parking lot at 1987 E. Hayes Drive. Pedestrian detour routes with wayfinding signs will be implemented to guide residents and park users around sidewalk, path, and roadway closures in the park.
Traffic Impacts
The scheduling of construction work has been carefully planned in order to minimize inconvenience to the traveling public. Lane closures and temporary road closures will be necessary along Lake Shore Drive, Hayes Drive, Stony Island Avenue, and some intersecting roadways within the project limits. Alternate routes along Cornell Drive, Marquette Drive, Richards Drive, and 57th Drive will be provided. Click here for updates.
Parking Impacts
Parking will be prohibited on both sides of Stony Island Avenue throughout the duration of this phase of the project. Parking on Hayes Drive will also be prohibited and will not return following the completion of the project. CDOT is working to identify alternative parking elsewhere around Jackson Park and will continue to coordinate with the Chicago Park District on new and expanded opportunities to park in parking lots within Jackson Park.
Workforce Participation
Construction contracts will include requirements for participation by Minority, Women, and Veteran owned businesses, as well as Chicago Resident and Local Area Resident hiring. Further details can be viewed here.