The Barack Obama Foundation today released a “Request for Qualifications,” looking for responses from “institutions and other parties” interested in hosting President Obama’s future presidential library.
Both Hawaii -- Obama’s birthplace -- and Chicago -- his adopted hometown, have already expressed interest.
In a press release, the foundation says it “envisions a library that reflects President Obama’s values and priorities throughout his career in public service, including expanding economic opportunity, inspiring an ethic of American citizenship, and promoting peace, justice, and dignity throughout the world.”
The foundation says it’s also seeking to build a facility that will “cultivate a strong relationship with the surrounding community and be an anchor for economic development.”
The request asks interested organizations and institutions to provide initial information about how their proposal will fulfill the principles of the future library, and asks for logistical, financial, and organizational information from interested parties – including site details, transportation access, and community information – “to demonstrate a capacity to successfully build and maintain a future presidential library.”
The RFQ is available on the foundation’s website, here, and an appendix detailing the National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) architectural and design standards is here.
“Our goal is to build a library of which the whole country, and hopefully the whole world, can be proud,” said Obama pal and foundation leader Martin Nesbitt. “Our vision is to create a space that reflects President Obama’s values and priorities throughout his career in public service and serves as force for good in the surrounding community and throughout our world.”
Responses are due by June 16 and the foundation this summer will issue a another request to the most competitive applicants, requesting comprehensive proposals. It expects to reach a decision and select a site in early 2015.
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