New details about the saga that was the George Lucas museum's proposal to locate in the Presidio have emerged following a Freedom of Information Act request for documents related to the situation. Former football quarterback Joe Montana, Twitter founder Biz Stone, and venture capitalist Ron Conway all signed the request, which resulted in the release of thousands of pages of documents that detail the fractious relationship between Lucas and the Presidio Trust, which was looking to find a tenant for the site across from Crissy Field. Brent Glass, the consultant who was brought on board to help manage the process, called Lucas' idea "the Empire meets Middle America," according to the San Francisco Chronicle, which was given access to the documents.
Lucas was announced as one of three finalists for the site, but the Presidio Trust team belittled Lucas' collection of memorabilia and illustrations that would have made up the collection at the Lucas Cultural Arts Museum. Presidio Trust board members seemed more willing to have Lucas at the site, but grew frustrated over his unwillingness to compromise on the design of the building. His design suggestion, according to the Chronicle, was inspired by the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco and included copper domes and columns covered in robed statues. Lucas also wanted to build 20 feet past the site's stated height limit of 45 feet.
Despite support from well-knowns like Senator Dianne Feinstein, Lucas was ultimately not awarded the site. He was offered it provisionally according to the newly released documents, but following a meeting in which he again refused to alter his design proposal, the offer was rescinded and the competition for the site was suspended. San Francisco, of course, later offered Lucas a waterfront site at Piers 30-32, but Lucas instead chose to put his museum in Chicago, where he continues to face issues over his proposed design.
· How George Lucas' Bid for a Presidio Museum Misfired [SF Chronicle]
· Presidio Passes on All Proposals, Including Lucas Museum [Curbed SF]
· Lucas Lost [Curbed SF]
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