South Side resident reveals flooding and construction disruptions from Obama Center project
A taxi driver who has called Chicago’s South Side home for nearly two decades now faces the towering structure of the Barack Obama Presidential Center across his street. Akoma Amanze, a resident of Jackson Park Terrace, a low-income housing community situated directly opposite the massive 19.3-acre campus, has experienced firsthand the significant disruptions caused by years of construction. While thousands of visitors flooded the area over the weekend to explore the newly opened facility featuring a museum, library, gardens and recreational spaces, Amanze and his neighbors reflected on the challenging journey that brought the project to completion.
The construction process, which commenced in 2021, brought unexpected hardships to the residential complex. Despite his support for the former president and his appreciation for living in the area, Amanze documented severe problems that affected his daily life and home.
Apartment flooding incidents during excavation work
Amanze experienced two separate flooding events in his apartment while construction crews dug the lower levels of the presidential center. The water damage forced him to discard numerous personal belongings including boxes, papers and clothing that had been stored on the floor. He handled the cleanup entirely on his own, using equipment to extract water from his home before tackling the mess left behind. Neither the management of Jackson Park Terrace nor representatives from the Obama Center offered financial assistance or other support to address the destruction, according to the cab driver.
The physical impact of heavy construction extended beyond water damage. Residents regularly felt vibrations from the deep excavation work that shook their living spaces.
Structural vibrations disrupted daily routines
The digging operations created such powerful reverberations that Amanze could feel his bed shaking while resting in his apartment. This disturbance persisted throughout the entire construction period, affecting the quality of life for residents in the housing complex. The constant noise and movement became part of the daily reality for families living in the shadow of the developing presidential center.
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- Construction began in 2021 on the 19.3-acre campus
- Two flooding incidents damaged Amanze’s apartment
- Residents experienced bed-shaking vibrations from excavation
- No compensation was offered for property damage
- The facility opened to thousands of visitors over the weekend
Community park replaced by presidential campus
The location that now houses the Obama Presidential Center previously served as a community park where Amanze raised his children. He recalled a specific swing that became essential for comforting his youngest child, now 14 years old. Whenever the boy showed signs of stress or began crying, Amanze would take him to that particular swing, gently rocking him until he fell asleep before carrying him home. The park represented more than just green space for the community. It provided recreational opportunities and served as a gathering place for families in the neighborhood for years.
The transformation of the landscape eliminated these familiar spaces that held deep personal significance for long-time residents.
Resident maintains positive outlook despite hardships
Despite the flooding damage, persistent vibrations and loss of the community park, Amanze expressed no bitterness about the situation. He acknowledged that some developments occur beyond individual control and require adaptation. The cab driver emphasized his excitement that Obama established such a significant institution in his neighborhood. He views his proximity to the presidential center as participation in history, referring to Obama as “my brother” and stating the site’s presence makes him proud.
Amanze described his overall experience living at Jackson Park Terrace as very positive, though he made clear the construction phase presented substantial challenges. The complex houses low-income families who had limited options for avoiding the disruptions. The opening weekend brought celebrities and ordinary citizens from across the country to tour the facility’s museum exhibits, library resources and outdoor recreational areas. For residents like Amanze, the buzz of activity across the street marked the end of a difficult chapter and the beginning of a new era for their South Side neighborhood.
