Its takes a true humanitarian to build a presidential library in a way and a place . . . . .

[Stinky The Clown]

. . . . . that ENHANCES the community in whose space it exists.

Sledding hills? For community kids? Gargen space for the community to use? A presidential library that is so much more than the term "presidential library" implies.

That's Barack Obama. That's Michelle Obama. That's what GOOD PEOPLE do.

To take it a step further. It is not just a presidential library. Officially it is the Barack Obama Presidential Center & Library.

The word Center precedes the word Library. That seems no accident.

When you understand why, it makes perfect sense.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_Presidential_Center

[Demovictory9]

1. Wow..i had.no idea

[Lovie777]

2. K & R . . .

[BobTheSubgenius]

3. I'd be shocked if TPG has any part in building one.

Art Of The Deal, Publicly-Funded Bankruptcy For Fun And Profit and How To Stiff Anyone And Keep Their Money do not a liberry make.

[smb]

5. A Fitting Library (or at least library website) For Cheato

https://djtrumplibrary.com/

[BobTheSubgenius]

10. A big thumbs-up for that one!

[Midnight Writer]

11. I am shocked, though, that he is not raising funds for one.

Seems like another scam he could get in on.

[Harker]

13. There's still time and opportunity...

though they're both dwindling for him, I hope.

[BobTheSubgenius]

16. A truly excellent point that totally escaped me.

[jmowreader]

12. He'll build one and it'll be outrageous

He’s going to get his minions to buy him a huge sign printer and with it he’ll print floor-to-ceiling banners of his great accomplishments like building the wall, cutting his own taxes and fighting coronavirus. It’ll be in a hangar at the Palm Beach airport where he’ll have his 757 (which will be delivered by barge because it won’t start) and the escalator from Trump Tower will also be there.

I recommend they put it in a cell at Alcatraz, right across from the cell he is in. I think it’ll be pretty cool…since they would have to install a kitchen, they could start a restaurant serving real prison food and people would be lined up for months to eat there.

[SeattleVet]

4. So much better than the way I imagine tRumplethinskin's...

which I have a feeling will be more akin to a 2-story Porta-Potty attached to a peepshow/gloryhole booth, in which there is an altar for the faithful to kiss a replica of his massive ass.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. He already has his numerous "golf resorts" for that...

[Botany]

7. A sledding hill.

Barack and Michelle Obama flat out "get it." I hope with no press there Barack and Michelle can go to
that hill and play with the kids on a snowy day someday in the future.

Remember their last act before leaving the White House was to give their play ground equipment
to a community center in D.C.,

https://imagesvc.meredithcorp.io/v3/mm/image?url=

[George II]

8. His speech before the ground breaking was great, talking about first going to Chicago....

...then meeting Michele, and a number of other anecdotes, too.

One other observation, and this isn't a knock on him, is that he seemed very relaxed and maybe a bit rusty at speaking publicly.

[gademocrat7]

9. K&R

Simply wonderful!

[soldierant]

14. Presidential libraries are historical monuments created

privately and maintained federally. They come under the domain of the National Archives. There are literally laws and regulations (notably the Presidential Libraries Act of 1955) which govern their size (maximum square feet 70,000), their appearance, and their contents. So, while it's fun to try to imagine what kind of "library" might best represent Donald J. Trump**, it's not realistic.

I,m just guessing, but based on the scope of the Obama one, I suspect the Obamas had to succeed in arguing that outdoor suare footage should not be counted in that 70,000 limit, and that's part of why it took so lng.

I also note that the donor (the former president) must accompany the gift of property with an endowment for its maintenance. Given the size of this one, that endowment must be impressive indeed

https://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/laws

[ancianita]

15. Locals are still concerned about affordable housing, already raised rents and gentrification.

Everyone should want a former community organizer to help them stay in their community.

This is an important democratic value in the Democratic Party.

https://abc7chicago.com/obama-library-displacement-neighborhood-jackson-park-gentrification/11057905/

With construction looming, the coalition wants safeguards for the South Shore, Washington Park and Greater Grand Crossing neighborhoods. They also want 52 vacant lots in neighboring Woodlawn already earmarked for affordable housing under a community benefits agreement to be identified.

"Be clear. This particular development will affect, have a ripple effect to Black communities around this center," said Shannnon Bennett, Kenwood Oakland Community Organization.

Those gathered said they are not anti-Obama, adding they don't want his library's legacy to be the displacement of thousands of low-income Black families.

Community organizer Dixon Romeo said that even before the pandemic, South Shore had the highest rate of eviction filings. He said the vast majority of people who live there are renters.

"This is the community that sent him to the White House. We should be the community that gets to stay and benefits from the presidential center," Romero said.

They hope to have some sort of agreement soon.

For the record, I love Obama as much as anyone, was a full donor, canvassed for him in two states.

That's why a great Obama Center must not inadvertently contribute to working class displacement in the Hyde Park and South Side area around Stoney Island Avenue, Washington Park and other nearby areas.

This issue has been one reason for the delay of breaking ground for the last few years.