Chicago, IL – A local construction firm, II in One, has launched a $40 million lawsuit against Thornton Tomasetti, the structural engineering firm overseeing the Obama Presidential Center’s construction, alleging racial discrimination and unfair business practices. The Chicago-based subcontractor, which began providing concrete and rebar services in 2021, claims it was unfairly forced into performing additional, costly work that threatens its financial stability.
According to the lawsuit filed last month in federal court, Thornton Tomasetti deviated from usual industry standards set by the American Concrete Institute. This led to what II in One describes as excessively rigorous inspections and modifications concerning rebar spacing and tolerance, resulting in significant financial overruns and operational delays.
II in One’s owner, Robert McGee, asserts the changes mandated by Thornton Tomasetti were unnecessary and have severely impacted his company’s productivity, pushing it towards potential bankruptcy. The firm argues that these actions not only caused extensive financial losses but were also tainted by racial discrimination, a claim underscored by allegations that similar demands were not made of non-minority-owned contractors.
Thornton Tomasetti has defended its decisions, arguing that the additional scrutiny and project requirements were necessary due to what it perceived as the subcontractors’ lack of qualification and previous underperformance. In a memo addressed to the Obama Foundation, which is spearheading the project, the engineering firm highlighted issues like cracked slabs and exposed rebar, suggesting these were caused by the contractors’ failures.
Situated near Jackson Park in Chicago, the $830 million Obama Presidential Center is envisioned as a vibrant community hub featuring a museum, library, and educational facilities. The center will also serve as the new home for the nonprofit Obama Foundation and is expected to include programs in conjunction with the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy.
The legal battle surfaces amid broader community concerns surrounding the center’s impact on Chicago’s South Side. Residents and activists have voiced fears about potential displacement due to rising property values, along with environmental repercussions involving the removal of numerous trees and disturbances to local wildlife habitats. Despite these challenges, including legal threats to halt construction, the project received legal green lights with the Supreme Court denying an appeal in 2021.
As the Obama Presidential Center continues to emerge, slated for completion in 2026, it exemplifies the complexities of urban development interwoven with community dynamics and the relentless scrutiny faced by high-profile construction projects.
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