The Lucas Star Wars Museum in Chicago is facing a major roadblock to its construction after federal Judge John Darrah ruled that the petition against the museum's construction shall continue. Judge Darrah said that the argument of the petitioner has merit.
Petitioner Friends of the Parks is seeking to prevent the construction of George Lucas' $400 million Star Wars museum in the 300,000 square foot property. The project got the green light from the Chicago City Council that voted in its favor. In addition, the Park District has approved a 99-year lease of the land to be used for the project.
Judge Darrah said that 99-year lease "effectively surrenders control" of the public-owned lakefront property to a private entity. Petitioners point the same argument by saying that turning over the land will promote commercial interest at the expense of public interest, Associated Press reported. According to the group, its erection will violate public-trust laws that prohibits development along Lake Michigan.
"The effort to give away public lakefront land to build the Lucas Museum amounts to yet another cover up by the Emanuel administration-one in which the true motives behind this decision and the true costs to the public have not yet seen the light of day," said executive director of Friends of the Parks Juanita Irizarry said in CBS Chicago.
Lake Michigan is under special protections from the State of Illinois. Pursuant to the public trust doctrine, Illinois is a mere trustee that has no power to alienate control to the public land. It is the Illinois citizens who own a "fractional beneficial interest" in the subject property.
Pending litigation, the decision is a small victory for the petitioners for now, but Friends of the Parks counsel Thomas Geoghegan hopes that the ruling will make Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to rethink his support for the project.
In response, Suntimes-Chicago reported that Chicago Park District spokeswoman Jessica Maxey-Faulker said that the group stands film on its decision to welcome the project by saying that the project is an "unparalleled investment in the City's cultural and educational offerings."
Counsel for the petitioner clarified that the group is not against the Lucas Star Wars museum itself, but on its location. He said that the petitioner is planning to organize a dialogue with Chicago authorities.
