Community, faith leaders support new Lucas museum plan

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A group of community and faith leaders have spoken out in favor of a plan to build a George Lucas museum in Chicago.

The group supports a new proposal that calls for demolishing the McCormick Place East building and construction the museum on that site.

A new convention space would then be built west of Lake Shore Drive.

This group said the move could bring business to struggling communities.

"It will become a powerful economic stimuli for the depressed neighborhoods within a two to five mile radius as it influences our home building industry and our neighborhood commerce," said supporter Leon Finney during an event on Tuesday.

The city proposed razing McCormick Place East for the museum after a community group objected to the original site, which was located just south of Soldier Field.