'May the Use Be With You': San Francisco and Chicago Wooing George Lucas's Museum

Phillip Matier And Andrew Ross report on the unfolding saga of the George Lucas Museum. According to Matier and Ross: "San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee plans to officially offer George Lucas a prime lot near the Bay Bridge as the site for a museum to house the 'Star Wars' creator's collection of illustrative art and Hollywood memorabilia."

"Known as Seawall Lot 330, the site is across the Embarcadero from Piers 30-32, where just a month ago the Golden State Warriors were planning to build their 18,000-seat arena." The height of the proposed museum would not be a problem in San Francisco's new land use regime.

"Lucas has been looking around for a site since the Presidio Trust vetoed his plans for a museum across from Crissy Field earlier this year. The Presidio has offered an alternative near the Letterman Digital Arts Center, but Lee's biggest worry is Chicago, which has invited Lucas to build his museum near Soldier Field."

About that Chicago proposal, Melissa Harris reports that "Mayor Rahm Emanuel has recommended the parking lots to the south of Soldier Field as the home for filmmaker George Lucas' collection of art and movie memorabilia, should the 'Star Wars' creator choose Chicago over San Francisco for his planned museum."

The two parking lots, owned by the Chicago Park District, are located between the stadium and McCormick Place and within walking distance of the Museum Campus.

Harris's coverage of the proposal includes a soundbite from a football fan concerned with the museum's potential impact on tailgating at Chicago Bears games: " "'You can kiss tailgating at Soldier Field as we know it good-bye if this deal gets done,' said Rob Radulski of Algonquin who attends tailgates in those lots. 'Where would thousands of people go? There are plenty of locations south of McCormick Place down the lakefront to build on. Why not expand economically there?'"