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The Obama Foundation, the not-for-profit developing the first African-American president's library and museum in Jackson Park, was criticized by a local alderman Monday for not sharing enough information on how South Side residents will benefit from the high-profile project.

"My primary concern is how the Obama Foundation plans to engage the community in the transformation of these neighborhoods," Ald. Leslie Hairston, whose 5th Ward includes the library site and portions of neighboring communities, said in an open letter to the foundation. "Residents would like to know what is the plan for community outreach."

The letter also called for integrating the planning for the presidential library with a proposal to convert the Jackson Park and South Shore golf courses into a PGA-caliber destination.

"Residents would like to have a comprehensive picture of how transportation, park use and recreation will be addressed," she wrote.

In issuing the letter, Hairston becomes one of the most prominent community members to call for greater transparency in the development plans for historic Jackson Park plans that are led by private interests. Others include Friends of the Park and Jackson Park Watch, an ad hoc community group.

Hairston noted that a number of community groups are already meeting and planning to make community benefits demands of the Obama Foundation.

"Without communication from the foundation, this can be detrimental to the Obama Presidential Center and the city of Chicago," she said in the letter. "This is not what anybody wants or what the foundation needs."

Michael Strautmanis, the foundation's vice president of civic engagement, said the organization welcomes Hairston's ideas and call for community involvement.

"While our work has only just begun, we are committed to gathering robust community input at every step of the process," he said in a statement. "The Obama Presidential Center will be transformative for our community, creating jobs and spurring economic development across the area."

Hairston said residents are seeking jobs in planning, architecture, construction, operations and professional services; job training programs for positions in construction, customer service, event planning and independent contracting; concession and retail opportunities; and early childhood education in science, technology and math.

A number of community groups are pushing for a written benefits agreement, something the Obama Foundation has not embraced.

Meanwhile, the Rev. Byron Brazier, pastor of the Apostolic Church of God in neighboring Woodlawn, is taking a less confrontational approach, soliciting community ideas for an economic development plan to foster revitalization of the surrounding communities.

kbergen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kathy_bergen

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Alderman calls for more transparency on Obama library planning - Chicago Tribune