[Smei-OT] Lucasfilm cancels new studio plans

[Your Name]

From yesterday's local newspaper ...

Lucas shelves studio plans
--------------------------
George Lucas' film production company has abandoned
plans to build a sprawling studio in a rustic valley
north of San Francisco, saying it has no desire to be
seen as "an evil empire". Lucasfilm, the force behind
the Star Wars movies, surprised Marin County by
announcing it had pulled the plug on the Grady Ranch
project, citing bitter opposition from neighbours and
delays in the approval process.

[Helpful Harry]

A longer article from yesterday's local newspaper ...

Irate neighbours force Lucas out
--------------------------------
George Lucas' empire is striking back in its long-running
battle to build a palatial film studio in the pastoral
hills north of San Francisco.

Lucasfilm, the force behind the Star Wars movies, shocked
Marin County this week by saying it was abandoning the
Grady Ranch project because of bitter opposition from

neighbours and delays in the approval process.

The company said it would build its digital media
production studio elsewhere and hoped to sell the
historic farmland to a developer interested in building
low-income housing.

"We love working and living in Marin, but the residents
of Lucas Valley have fought this project for 25 years,
and enough is enough," the company said.

"We have opportunities to build the production stages
in communities that see us as a creative asset, not as
an evil empire."

The Grady Ranch project would have been a major
expansion of Lucasfilm in Lucas Valley, which has been
home to its Skywalker Ranch for three decades.

The valley is named for a 19th century rancher with no
relation to the Star Wars creator.

The proposed new complex would have included a 15m-tall,
mission-style compound with two 26m towers, two indoor
sound stages and a large outdoor stage.

It would have had screening rooms, guest housing, a
general store, employee cafeteria and a wine cave.

The company and its backers said the new studio would
generate hundreds of high-paying jobs and tax revenue.

Lucasfilm had hoped to break ground next year in an area
about 24km north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

But the project was opposed by homeowners and
environmentalists who believed it would increase traffic,
noise and environmental damage despite company promises
to preserve open space and reduce effects on the
community.

The Marin County planning commission approved the studio
project in February, but opponents appealed against that
decision to the county Board of Supervisors last month,
leading to further delays.

"The level of bitterness and anger expressed by the
homeowners in Lucas Valley has convinced us that, even
if we were to spend more time and acquire the necessary
approvals, we would not be able to maintain a
constructive relationship with our neighbours,"
Lucasfilm said.

[Duggy]

On Apr 14, 10:04 am, HelpfulHa...@BusyWorking.com (Helpful Harry)
wrote:

> A longer article from yesterday's local newspaper ...

>    "The level of bitterness and anger expressed by the
>    homeowners in Lucas Valley has convinced us that, even
>    if we were to spend more time and acquire the necessary
>    approvals, we would not be able to maintain a
>    constructive relationship with our neighbours,"
>    Lucasfilm said.

Interestingly, they're getting revenge on the locals:

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/13/4412084/officials-scramble-to-keep-lucas.html

"The company behind the "Star Wars" movies said it would build the
digital media studio elsewhere and sell the Lucas Valley property to a

developer interested in building low-income housing."

Translation: "You don't want us, fine, we're moving poor people into
your area. Protest against that without sounding like elitist snobs."

===
= DUG.
===