In light of ongoing legal challenges, a new proposal by Mayor Rahm Emanuel could help keep the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Chicago. The proposed home for the museum is currently a parking lot located on Lake Michigan between Soldier Field and the McCormick Place convention center. An environmental group, Friends of the Parks, has held the project at bay as they fight to keep the museum from building on that location, which they argue is protected land.
Hoping to keep George Lucas from moving his museum elsewhere, today’s proposal would keep the museum on the lakefront, but would shift the location to the south of Soldier Field, and would involve demolishing McCormick Place East (one of four buildings that make up the convention center).
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce released this statement today:
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce has been a strong supporter of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and its proposed location at the parking lot south of Soldier Field.
We are equally supportive of today’s proposal to locate the museum at the McCormick Place East site, which will bring a world-class institution to the city and produce significant cultural, economic, jobs, and environmental benefits for all of Chicago.
Art lovers, movie fans, park enthusiasts, educators, and community neighbors all stand to gain from the addition of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art to Chicago’s lakefront and museum collection. We encourage the City and all residents to support the museum and welcome George Lucas’ generous contribution to Chicago.
Mellody Hobson, Lucas Museum board member and wife of George Lucas, issued this statement:
We remain hopeful about building the museum in the city of Chicago. Similar to the current parking lot site, we believe McCormick Place would be an excellent location and extend the already world-class museum campus on Chicago’s lakefront to the south side. We appreciate the outpouring of support that we’ve received from the people of Chicago.
Here are just some of the ways the Lucas Museum would benefit Chicago:
1,500+ NEW CONSTRUCTION JOBS
350+ NEW PERMANENT JOBS
12 Acres NEW OPEN, ACCESSIBLE GREEN SPACE
800+ NEWLY-PLANTED TREES
$1 Billion+ INVESTED BY GEORGE LUCAS & MELLODY HOBSON
$0 COST TO TAXPAYERS
• There is currently a petition in support of keeping the museum project in Chicago. You can add your name here: Stop the FotP Lawsuit Against Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Chicago
• Use the hashtag #BuildLucas on Facebook and Twitter to show your support for the museum.
Sources: Lucas Museum of Narrative Art — Facebook, Chicago Tribune, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Powered by Sidelines
