Nov. 25--A federal judge on Tuesday ordered that no physical changes be made to the proposed site for George Lucas' museum without approval from the court, which is hearing a lawsuit brought by open-space advocates who oppose locating the "Star Wars" creator's museum on the lakefront.
Judge John Darrah made the order during a status hearing on the lawsuit brought by the nonprofit group Friends of the Parks. The group is arguing that the site, just south of Soldier Field and currently home to two parking lots, was part of Lake Michigan until it was filled in during the 1920s, and thus remains a protected waterway. The city would need approval from the state before proceeding with the museum, the lawsuit argues.
The city plans to file a motion to dismiss the case, city attorney William Macy Aguiar told the judge. That motion is due in the second week of December. Friends of the Parks will then have 30 days to respond and the city will have another two weeks to reply, bringing further action on the case into February.
Attorney Tom Geoghegan, representing Friends of the Parks, said the group was concerned that the museum might break ground on the project during that time. Aguiar said the museum site still awaits approval from the Chicago Plan Commission, the Park District's board of directors and the City Council.
Nevertheless, Darrah said he would issue an order declaring that there can be "no physical alteration of the site until further order of the court."
The next scheduled hearing is Feb. 26.
kgeiger@tribune.com
Twitter @kimgeiger
