The Obama Presidential Center is currently in the planning stages for Woodlawn but the major project is sparking a wave of new developments in the neighborhood. A new nonprofit group has formed to ensure the new presidential center benefits the surrounding neighborhoods of South Shore, Washington Park, and Woodlawn as much as possible, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Courtesy of Tod Williams Billie Tsien

The organization is being co-chaired by Arne Duncan, the former U.S. Secretary of Education. The other members of the nonprofit include leaders from the Barack Obama Foundation, the University of Chicago, Network of Woodlawn, The Chicago Community Trust, and the Washington Park Consortium. 

“I’m honored to be part of this organization that will build and coordinate work already underway with the Center and beyond to maximize this opportunity, support and supplement where needed, and help implement strategies that benefit the residents in neighborhoods surrounding the Center,” Duncan said in a press release. 

The new organization is still finding its feet, but once it is fully established it will focus on fundraising and community outreach.