Park Advocates Face Uphill Battle Against Obama Library, Lucas Museum

According to Geoff Edgers, two already formidable political forces have a powerful ally in Chicago Mayor Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who "has been trying to clear prime space – against the wishes of park advocates – for Barack Obama’s presidential library and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art."

Edgers's premise is that park advocates will have a tough time fending off the potential developments, as evidenced by recent developments in either case.

"First, word spread that Cassandra Francis, the loudest voice in the battle to keep the projects out of green space, resigned as president of the Friends of the Parks advocacy group. Within 36 hours, a bill designed to make it easier to build on the kinds of plots she’s been pushing to protect quickly passed through the state legislature. Gov. Bruce Rauner (R-Ill.) can sign any day."

Edgers provides a rundown on the ire the proposals have provoked, beginning first with the idea of building the Obama Library on 22 acres inside Washington Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and then discussing the details of the position taken by park advocates against the proposed site of the Lucas Museum.