Chicago selected as location of Barack Obama library

WATCH ABOVE: Michelle and Barack Obama discuss their reasons for selecting Chicago.

CHICAGO – President Barack Obama has decided to build his presidential library on the South Side of Chicago, where his political career began.

The Barack Obama Foundation announced early Tuesday that a bid by the University of Chicago was selected over rival proposals by the University of Hawaii, Columbia University in New York and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

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The bid had been viewed as a favourite because of the Obamas’ ties to the school and community. Obama and the first lady worked at the school and they have a home nearby.

People with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press and other media nearly two weeks ago the University of Chicago would get the nod.

The city took recent action to secure public park land for the library.