A shocking lawsuit has been filed against one of the firms managing the construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
The lawsuit alleges racial discriminatory practices, which forced a subcontractor to do extra work, putting them at risk of bankruptcy.
Robert McGee, the owner of II in One, a Chicago-based subcontractor, is suing Thornton Tomasetti, a New York-based firm, for $40 million.
The Allegations
McGee claims that Thornton Tomasetti changed standards and imposed new rules around rebar spacing and tolerance requirements, which differed from the American Concrete Institute standards.
This resulted in “excessively rigorous and unnecessary inspection” and massive overruns.
The lawsuit also alleges that Thornton Tomasetti falsely accused II in One of lacking sufficient qualifications and experience to perform its work, while stating that non-minority-owned contractors were sufficiently qualified.
A History of Problems
The Obama Presidential Center project has faced numerous problems in the past. Construction was initially anticipated to start in 2018 but was delayed until 2021.
The project is scheduled to open in 2026. Community activists have raised concerns that the new center will cause prices for homes and rent to increase, pricing out many long-time residents. Environmental activists have also criticized the project, arguing that it will remove too many trees and destroy bird habitats.
Thornton Tomasetti’s Response
Thornton Tomasetti has defended its actions, claiming that the subcontractors were “questionably qualified” and that the delays were due to their own shortcomings.
The firm shared images of cracked slab and exposed rebar, stating that the challenges with the concrete were due solely to the performance of the contractors.
The Impact on the Community
The Obama Presidential Center is being built near Jackson Park in Chicago and will consist of a museum, library, community and conference facilities.
The center will house the nonprofit Obama Foundation, which oversees the center’s development and operates a scholarship program through the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy.
While the project aims to promote the city’s South Side and bring Chicagoans together, the allegations of racial discrimination and the potential displacement of long-time residents have raised concerns about the project’s impact on the community.
What’s Next?
The lawsuit is a significant development in the construction of the Obama Presidential Center. McGee is seeking to be paid back for roughly $40 million in construction costs that his firm covered.
The outcome of the lawsuit will have significant implications for the project and the community. As the project continues to move forward, it remains to be seen how the allegations of racial discrimination will be addressed and what impact they will have on the final outcome.