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Obama’s library a tough choice between 2 historic parks

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jackson Park in Chicago. The decision to build Barack Obama’s presidential library at the lakefront park rather than a nearby impoverished neighborhood has left some residents worried the museum will deliver less of a boost to the South Side.

CHICAGO >> The Obama Foundation is set to unveil details about its plan to build Barack Obama’s presidential library in a lakeside park in Chicago’s South Side.

The foundation, city leaders and University of Chicago officials will publicly discuss the plan Wednesday.

The decision to build the museum in Jackson Park rather than another historic park in a nearby impoverished neighborhood has left some residents worried that the museum will deliver less of a boost to the city’s South Side.

Some say Washington Park, a mile to the west, has greater needs because of poverty and population decline. They say the location decision is a missed opportunity to spur development there.

Last week, the Obama Foundation said building the museum in Jackson Park would have “the greatest long-term impact on the combined communities.”

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