George Lucas museum's lakefront location faces opposition

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel now has the task of convincing skeptics the protected lakefront is the right place for the George Lucas museum in Chicago.

The celebrated filmmaker plans to build a home for his vast collection of movie memorabilia, digital work and classic art, but at least one group is planning a lawsuit.

A billionaire offers to build Chicago a museum free of charge, endow it, staff it, build the city new underground parking garages and add green space.

There's only problem: George Lucas and Mayor Emanuel want to locate it on the lakefront.

Lucas' museum won't be in a galaxy far, far away, but a parking lot south of Soldier Field.

"No TIF, no tax support and our contribution is two parking lots," said Emanuel.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel says it's a no-brainer: zero tax dollars in exchange for a state-of-the-art tourist magnet. Not so fast, say a few aldermen.

"You lose that space forever once that building goes on it. There's no potential to go back and open up that green space," said Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward.

"Norman Rockwell prints? After a while we've seen them all before. As for the other items, it better be very interactive to keep attracting people to this site," said Ald. Bob Fioretti, 2nd Ward.

The group Friends of the Park may mount a court fight, and says the law is on its side. The lakefront protection ordinance states: "in no instance will further private development be permitted east of Lake Shore Drive."

"If you look at the spirit of the lakefront protection ordinance, there is no development east of Lake Shore Drive. This is a private museum. It is owned by someone else who holds the lock and key," said Cassandra Francis, Friends of the Parks.

As for what happens to Bears fans, City Hall says Lucas has agreed to pay for and build underground parking.

"You can't tailgate underground! C'mon, that's ridiculous!" said Bobby Knight, Bears fan.

"On the times there are games there we will work through the issue on tailgating so you can have both the museum, open land and tailgating all addressed. That's why you have smart architects," said Emanuel.

A spokesperson for Lucas tells Eyewitness News the museum would cover just a small portion of the 17-acre site. The rest would be green space on land that's currently parking lots.

She says a priority throughout the planning process is making sure the museum adds to the lakefront experience and doesn't deprive people of activities they currently enjoy there.

Lucas hopes to open his museum in 2018.