Obama Presidential Center: $40M racially charged lawsuits blasted as baseless ‘smears’
An engineering firm working on the Obama Presidential Center has vehemently denied accusations of racial discrimination against a Black-owned subcontractor on the project. Thornton Tomasetti, a New York City-based structural engineering firm, has dismissed the claims as baseless and described them as smears aimed at tarnishing their reputation. The firm maintains that criticizing the subcontractor’s work does not equate to racism.
The $40.75 million lawsuit filed by II In One Concrete, the Black-owned subcontracting firm, alleges that Thornton Tomasetti displayed racist intent when it criticized the subcontractor’s performance at the Jackson Park site in Chicago. The Obama Presidential Center, which aims to celebrate former President Barack Obama’s political career, has faced delays and cost overruns, with the budget ballooning from $350 million to $830 million.
In response to the lawsuit, Thornton Tomasetti has stated that their critique of II In One Concrete was based on legitimate concerns, including cracked concrete and exposed rebar, which required corrective work. The firm emphasized that the subcontractor’s lack of experience and questionable qualifications were the primary reasons for the criticism, not racial bias.
The Obama Foundation, which oversees the project, has set diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals for its construction contracts, requiring 35% of subcontractors to be minority-owned. II In One Concrete was part of a joint-venture team that met this requirement. Thornton Tomasetti’s attorneys argued that minority-owned businesses should not be shielded from scrutiny and critique, as they should be held to the same standards as any other subcontractor.
II In One Concrete’s owner, Robert McGee, has accused Thornton Tomasetti of unjustified and discriminatory conduct, claiming that the firm unfairly targeted his company based on race. McGee pointed to his firm’s 40-year track record and successful completion of major projects in the Chicagoland area as evidence of their qualifications. He alleged that Thornton Tomasetti imposed new rules and standards on his company, deviating from industry norms.
In their motion to dismiss the lawsuit, Thornton Tomasetti refuted the claims of racial bias, stating that the rebar spacing requirements were clearly outlined in the bid documents and contract specifications. The firm argued that the lawsuit failed to address the broader issues highlighted in their memo to the Obama Foundation and focused solely on one aspect of the critique.
The Obama Foundation has distanced itself from the lawsuit, emphasizing that it is not a party to the legal dispute. The Foundation reiterated its commitment to DEI goals and stated that any vendor found to be acting with racist intent would face appropriate action. The Obama Presidential Center is scheduled to open next year, featuring a museum, library, conference facilities, and other amenities.
Overall, Thornton Tomasetti has stood firm in their defense against the accusations of racial discrimination, maintaining that their criticisms were based on the subcontractor’s performance and qualifications, not on race. The legal battle underscores the challenges and complexities of achieving diversity and inclusion in large-scale construction projects like the Obama Presidential Center.
