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Former President Obama Unveils Plans For His Presidential Library

Obama Foundation

Former President Barack Obama says he envisions his future presidential center as an institution where the next generation of young leaders will be trained.

Obama spoke Wednesday at a community forum in Chicago where renderings of the center and library were unveiled.

Obama estimates the center will be finished in four years, but says programming will start this year. He announced that he and former first Lady Michelle Obama personally will donate $2 million to summer job efforts in Chicago.

The former president received a friendly hometown reception from the crowd, which included Mayor Rahm Emanuel, his one-time chief of staff.

Obama didn't mention his successor, instead focusing on details about the center, including potential exhibits and traffic patterns.

Obama says he hopes the center will become a hub of activity on Chicago's South Side, where Obama started his political career.