Oct. 21--The City Council Zoning Committee recommended approval of George Lucas' proposed lakefront museum Tuesday, leaving one final hurdle.
North Side Ald. Ameya Pawar, 47th, cast the lone vote against the "Star Wars" filmmaker's planned 300,000-square-foot Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which would be built south of Soldier Field along Lake Michigan.
"I'm sure it's going to be a great addition," Pawar said of the museum. "But the issue for me is, what happens when somebody else comes in and wants to build a museum? There's a reason the City Council passed the Lakefront Protection Ordinance."
The plan was supposed to be on Wednesday's council agenda but was moved to Oct. 28 because there are still a few issues that need to be worked out, an official said.
The nonprofit Friends of the Parks has sued the Chicago Park District, arguing that the museum will violate the public trust because it will be built on the submerged waters of Lake Michigan and asserting that it is not in residents' best interests.
Melanie Moore, director of policy for Friends of the Parks, urged the Zoning Committee not to approve the plan. "One of Chicago's greatest natural assets is our lakefront, and we believe it should not be used for a private collection," Moore said.
The next court date in the lawsuit is scheduled for Nov. 10.
Last week, the city Plan Commission approved the proposal, and the Park District board agreed to lease the land to the museum for $10 for 99 years.
Museum officials have said that if there are no delays, the museum could break ground in the spring and open in 2019.
jebyrne@tribpub.com
