Watch CBS News

Chicagoan Submits Pro-Lucas Museum Petition To Adversary Group

(CBS) -- A Chicago man who likes the arts and museums gathered 2,500 signatures from people who want to see Friends of the Parks drop its opposition to building the Lucas Museum on the lakefront.

WBBM's Mike Krauser reports.

Gino Generelli says he's just a fan of the potential project proposed by "Star Wars" guru George Lucas. Generelli says he has nothing to do with the mayor's office or George Lucas or his wife, Chicagoan Melody Hobson.

"Twenty-five-hundred other Chicago residents happen to agree with me," Generelli says.

The Friends of the Parks says it opposes new construction on the lakefront – not the idea of the museum. The parks advocacy group effectively blocked efforts to build the Lucas museum on the south end of  Soldier Field.

Lucas has indicated he will take his project to another city, possibly San Francisco, because of the holdup.

WBBM's Mike Krauser

A Friends of the Parks staffer accepted Generelli's petition Wednesday.

Lucas Museum
This artist rendering shows the future Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. (Lucas Museum)

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.