The president and first lady released this video Tuesday announcing the plans for the presidential center.
View this video on YouTube
President Barack Obama made it official Tuesday, announcing that his presidential center will be housed in Chicago, a city where he has significant roots — it's where he first met his wife, where both his children were born and where he began his political career.
"All the strands of my life came together and I really became a man when I moved to Chicago. That's where I was able to apply that early idealism to try to work in communities in public service. That's where I met my wife. That's where my children were born," Obama said.
And the First Lady Michelle Obama, who jokes at the end of the video that one of her grandfathers was nicknamed "South Side," was "thrilled" with the decision.
"I'm thrilled to be able to put this resource in the heart of the neighborhood that means the world to me. Every value, every memory, every important relationship to me exists in Chicago. I consider myself a South Sider," she said.
The University of Chicago won the bid nearly two weeks ago with plans that focus around Washington Park and Jackson Park, though it's not yet clear which site will house the library.
"The city of Chicago was instrumental in demonstrating to the President and First Lady the advantages of locating the future Obama Presidential Center in the city, and the University of Chicago brought to life the broad potential and vital energy of the South Side," Foundation Chairman Martin Nesbitt said in a statement.
The university's bid won out over rival bids from Columbia University in New York, the University of Hawaii and the University of Illinois at Chicago.