Cassandra Francis representing Friends of the Parks spoke to South Loop residents about the proposed location of the Lucas Museum, and alternate sites FOTP is recommending.

1. SOUTH LOOP ASSOCIATION
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2014

2. Friends of the Parks is thrilled Mr. Lucas has selected
Chicago as the home for the Lucas Museum of
Narrative Art.
However…
The proposed lakefront site is just the wrong site.

3. EROSION OF OUR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
IS A TROUBLING TREND AND SLIPPERY SLOPE
• Loss of the health, recreation and quality of life benefits associated with
parks and public open spaces
• Not currently meeting City’s CitySpace Plan minimum requirement of 2
acres/1000 residents by 2010
• Ranked number 14 out of 18 of high-density cities for parkland as a
percentage of city area by the Trust for Public Land
• Estimated 17% population growth and over 18% job growth in Cook County
by 2040; 850,000 more residents and 435,000 more jobs
• Public open space is non-renewable – more need for open space for quality
of life while more pressure on open space for development

4. ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF OPEN SPACE
• Increase of value of property due to location near parks
• Increase in tourism and related dollars attributed to parks
• Costs savings of using public open space for recreational activities rather than
paying for the use of privately-owned facilities
• Gross National Happiness
Source: The Economic Benefits of Seattle’s Park and Recreation System from The Trust for Public Land, March 2011

5. Chicago’s CitySpace Plan:
An Open Space Plan for
Chicago
January 1988
By the City of Chicago, Chicago Park
District and the Forest Preserve
District of Cook County

6. Friends of the Parks Opposes Use of Lakefront Public Open Space for Proposed Lucas
Narrative Arts Museum
Chicago, Illinois (June 24, 2014) - Friends of the Parks has a long history of partnership with the
City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District and various governmental agencies to preserve and protect
our open space and parks for Chicagoans and visitors. “While we are very supportive of the Lucas
Narrative Arts Museum coming to Chicago, we oppose its siting on lakefront public open space. The
Lakefront Protection Ordinance specifically states that, ‘in no instance will further private
development be permitted east of Lake Shore Drive’. It is clear that the siting of the Lucas Museum in
this lakefront location contradicts our prior city visionaries’ goal of continuous public open space along
the lakefront”. Such a siting of the museum contradicts the Lakefront Protection Ordinance and our
city visionaries’ goal of continuous public open space along the lakefront which was to remain, “open,
clear and free”, says Cassandra Francis, President of Friends of the Parks.
“Although the proposed site is now used as a parking lot, its future reversion to parkland is possible.
Once a building is in place, it is forever precluded from being public open space. This is not a new
issue given Friends of the Parks’ mission and extensive public opposition to the proposed siting of the
Chicago Children’s Museum in Grant Park. It is a slippery slope,” says Lauren Moltz, Friends of the
Parks’ Board Chair.
We look forward to working collaboratively with our open space partners, the community, the Mayor’s
Office and the Chicago Park District to identify the strengths of alternative sites that will secure broad
community support and will entice Mr. Lucas.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

7. Not long ago, on a lakefront not very far away . . .
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel got what he wanted: a
new museum from "Star Wars" creator George Lucas.

9. LEGAL ACTION
• Violates Due Process
• Reclaimed land is held in public trust by the State of Illinois for the benefit of all Illinois citizens
• Acceptable land use and function, public vs. private
• Violates Public Trust Legal Doctrine (Lakefront Protection Ordinance)
• Degrades the lakefront as a natural resource and pristine or improved physical environment which
is available for access and use by all citizens on an equal basis, both now and for future
generations
• Interferes with the keeping of the lakefront clear and free for equal access by all citizens to
navigation, boating, fishing, recreation and commerce

10. PUBLIC PROCESS
• Lucas Museum Site Selection Exercise
• Chicago Park District – Museum Campus Framework Plan
• Plan Commission – Lakefront Protection Ordinance, Zoning, Design
• City Council Approval
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency,
Army Corps of Engineers

18. CHICAGO BEARS TAILGATING

19. MERIT ONE CONCERT VENUE

20. NORTHERLY ISLAND

22. Proposed
Beckham Soccer
Stadium –
Plan A

23. Proposed
Beckham
Soccer
Stadium –

24. Proposed
Beckham Soccer
Stadium –
Plan B

25. CITY AND PUBLIC RESPONSE TO BECKHAM SOCCER
STADIUM
David Beckham's MLS
plan derailed as Miami
mayor vetoes stadium site
Miami Rejects David
Beckham's Waterfront
Soccer Stadium
Will Miami-Dade
voters bend to
Beckham’s request
for public land?
County commissioner
opposes David
Beckham's MLS
stadium at downtown
Miami slip
David Beckham group
looking at other
locations for new
soccer stadium

31. WHAT IF…
CENTRAL PARK,
NEW YORK CITY

32. CENTRAL PARK
NEW YORK CITY
TODAY

36. PUBLIC OPEN SPACE POLICY
Proposed Site of Lucas
Narrative Arts Museum in
Museum Campus