The March 12, 2015, order granted by the Judge in Friends of the Park v. Chicago Park District was definitely not favorable to the proposed George Lucas Museum plan. U.S. District Court Judge John Darrah stated in his opinion that the lease language, “the exclusive right to occupy, use, maintain, manage and control the museum building and the museum site,” could very well be an abdication of control to a private entity. This according to the Friends of the Park is outside of the authority of the Chicago Park District. The proposed Museum would be built on a site that is currently being used as parking lots. What will this mean for the leases for Chicago’s other lakefront museum? Will Lucas decide to relocate his museum to another city or with the Chicago Park District successfully advocate for new legislation to allow the Museum? The City attorneys responded with this statement:
“While we are disappointed that the court did not resolve the case today, we look forward to the next phase of the public process to determine the best way to make the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art a great new addition to Chicago’s museum campus. This incredible investment will create a world-class educational institute for Chicago’s children, thousands of jobs, and new green space so that more Chicagoans can access and enjoy the lakefront.”
To read the more about this ongoing case and see a full transcript of the opinion visit: Crain’s Chicago Business- Lucas Museum plan hits a major speed bump.
