[Steely Dan]

Crowded field of architects vie for Obama library
Blair Kamin
Chicago Tribune

One-hundred and forty architects from 25 countries have submitted qualifications for the plum job of designing the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, a response that surprised the project's backers and will force a delay in the announcement of a winner.

In releasing the figures Friday, two days after qualifications were due, the Barack Obama Foundation revealed that the majority of the responding architects, 99, are U.S.-based and, of those, many are from Chicago, though it did not specify a number. The architects come from 60 cities.

"We are pleased to see such a high level of interest," the foundation's chairman, Martin Nesbitt, said in a statement. Yet the need to carefully review the responses will push back the selection of an architect, though it is unclear by how much, the foundation acknowledged. The selection of a winner was originally set for early next year.

"We are reviewing the process given the number of responses," a spokeswoman said.

Expected to cost at least $500 million, the presidential center will house a library and museum devoted to the Obama presidency. It is to be built in either Washington or Jackson parks on the South Side. Foundation officials have yet to determine if the winning architect will help select the site.

full article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/o...918-story.html