Construction of Obama Presidential Center projected to cost $1 billion, nearly triple original price

The construction cost for former President Barack Obama's Presidential Center is now expected to exceed at least $1 billion, which is nearly triple its original estimate, according to the Obama Foundation.

Construction on the center, which opened in June after years of delays, was initially projected to cost $300 million to $350 million in 2016 but ballooned to approximately $850 million when it opened. It is now projected to cost a total of $1 billion.

"While we continue to reconcile costs and plan ahead for additional capital improvements, we anticipate our total cost for constructing the campus is approximately $1 billion — again, all raised in private contributions," Emily Bittner, the Obama Foundation's vice president of communications, told Fox News on Thursday. "This includes investments in additional public art, insurance, scope changes in our Home Court, project management and exhibit installation, among other categories."

The center – encompassing a museum, an athletic center, cafe and restaurant, and a branch of the Chicago Public Library – is located in the historic Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago near the University of Chicago's campus. The Obama Foundation is also headquartered at the center. 

The update comes after years of legal battles and backlash from the public over rising costs. 

New financial information from the foundation found that construction and construction-related cost estimates were around $909 million by the end of 2025, when the project was about 80% complete. But the new disclosures cover the nonprofit's entire operation, not just the Chicago campus of the presidential center. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.