George Lucas has officially pulled the plug on plans to put the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Chicago.
Yesterday, Lucas issued a statement saying that he had given up on waiting for the resolution of a conflict between Chicago’s City Hall and Friends of the Parks, an interest group that has objected to both of the proposed sites for the museum.
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Frends of the Parks had objected to Lucas’s plans to construct the museum on Chicago’s lakefront; the first proposal was a location currently being used by a parking lot, where football fans hang out and tailgate. The second was the current home to the Lakeside Center at McCormick Place.
“In light of extensive delays caused by FOTP, Chicago no longer will be considered a potential site,” said a statement from the Lucas Museum planners (via Chicago Business).
“No one benefits from continuing [FOTP’s] seemingly unending litigation to protect a parking lot,” Lucas himself is quoted as saying.
Lucas will instead locate the museum on the West Coast, either in Los Angeles or San Francisco.
“The opportunity for Chicago to gain a brand new museum is rare, and this particular opportunity would have been the largest philanthropic contribution in Chicago’s history,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. “This missed opportunity has not only cost us what will be a world-class cultural institution, it has cost thousands of jobs for Chicago workers, millions of dollars in economic investment and countless educational opportunities for Chicago’s youth.”
“It is unfortunate that the Lucas Museum has made the decision to leave Chicago rather than locate the museum on one of the several alternative sites that are not on Chicago’s lakefront. That would have been the true win-win,” came a statement from Friends of the Parks’s Juanita Irizarry and board Chairwoman Lauren Moltz.
“While I’m disappointed by the decision…I also understand the decision given the numerous hurdles faced every step of the way,” Illinois governor Bruce Rauner said. “Diana and I wish George and Mellody the best of luck and express my gratitude for their patience and willingness to consider Chicago.”
