As Mayor Rahm Emanuel works to land the Obama presidential library in Chicago, the park district is officially laying the groundwork to hand over greenspace for the project.
On Wednesday, the Chicago Park District board will vote on a proposal to transfer roughly 21 acres of Washington Park or 20 acres Jackson Park to the city should the President and First Lady pick one of two library sites proposed by the University of Chicago.
The U. of C.'s proposed library site in Washington Park would include an additional 11 acres owned by the university and CTA near the Garfield Green Line stop.
The Chicago Tribune reported in December the library foundation had concerns that the land included in the University of Chicago's bid wasn't wholly owned by the city or the university. The University of Illinois at Chicago also made a pitch for the library as did Columbia University in New York where Obama earned his undergraduate degree and University of Hawaii located in Honolulu where he was born.
If the land is not used for the presidential center, it would revert back to park property, according to the park document. The transfer of the parkland is contingent upon the University of Chicago's winning the bid.
Last month, the park district held two hearings where the public weighed in over six hours on the use of parkland for the Obama library. Residents were divided over preserving parkland and landing the library on the South Side where it can provide an economic boost to communities.
Despite the opposition voiced at the public hearings, a recent Chicago Tribune poll last month showed 62 percent supported a plan to use park property, 29 percent opposed it and 9 percent had no opinion.
The park district resolution follows an ordinance Emanuel introduced last month to the City Council to allow for the transfer of land.
President Obama launched his political career here and Mrs. Obama grew up in Chicago.
The President and First Lady, who still own a home on the South Side, will make the final decision on the library's location. An announcement is expected by March, according to the foundation.
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