April 22--The president of a preservation group that is fighting plans to build the George Lucas museum on the lakefront as well as a proposal to build the Obama presidential library in a public park has stepped down.
Cassandra Francis, who was a Chicago real estate executive prior to being named president and CEO of the nonprofit Friends of the Parks last year, confirmed Tuesday that she is leaving the organization to pursue other interests.
"I'm moving on from Friends of the Parks, but I plan to stay closely connected to the cause of protecting Chicago's irreplaceable public parks and open spaces which make it a great city. I will continue to focus on open space, environmental and real estate issues both in Chicago and abroad," Francis said in an email.
During her brief tenure, Francis led two high-profile efforts pitting the organization against Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
In November, the group filed a lawsuit seeking to block an Emanuel-backed plan to build the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art on land between Soldier Field and McCormick Place. A judge ruled last month that the lawsuit could move forward in federal court.
Friends of the Parks has threatened to sue if President Barack Obama decides to build his library and museum on public parkland the city has offered for the project. Emanuel has supported a proposal by the University of Chicago to build the library in either Washington Park or Jackson Park if the university is chosen to host the presidential library. The president is expected to make an announcement on his decision in the coming weeks.
Francis, who is traveling this week on real estate business, said she resigned from Friends of the Park of her own volition. She said her decision was based on other opportunities she has been pursuing for a number of months.
She was appointed to lead the group last year when Erma Tranter stepped down after 33 years at the helm. Francis previously had been involved in several high-profile projects in Chicago, including leading efforts to build an Olympic Village, a controversial part of the city's failed bid to host the 2016 Olympics.
Her resignation will not impact the group's ongoing efforts to stop the Lucas museum and the presidential library from being built on parkland, according to Lauren Moltz, chair of the Friends of the Parks board.
"FOTP strongly supports the Obama presidential library coming to Chicago. We continue to oppose its sitting in our historic parks," Moltz said. "We remain dedicated to continued collaboration with our many constituents, environmental partners, the Chicago Park District and the City of Chicago."
Francis said she will continue to support Friends of the Parks' opposition to building the Lucas museum and the Obama library in public parks.
dglanton@tribpub.com
