CHICAGO — Friends of the Parks will not sue over the Obama Library as it comes to Jackson Park, the group says.
The parks group is "dismayed" that the parkland is being used, but it will not sue, it said in a Wednesday statement.
“However, the organization will not sue as it is our understanding that the site that was chosen apparently is not public trust land — unlike the proposed sites for the Lucas Museum,” said Friends of the Parks Executive Director Juanita Irizarry in an emailed statement. “Friends of the Parks’ analysis suggests that there is no realistic legal remedy at this time to protect this public open space from this development.”
Friends of the Parks is "excited" about the opportunity to host the library in Chicago, they said in a statement, but has reservations.
"Friends of the Parks warmly welcomes the Obama Library to Chicago’s South Side, but reiterates dismay at the use of existing parkland in Jackson Park rather than abundant vacant land nearby," the group said.
Friends of the Parks generated controversy earlier this year when they sued over the proposed lakefront site for the Lucas Museum. George Lucas and Mellody Hobson pulled the museum out of Chicago due to the opposition.
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