Marin county - affordable housing in a good Lucas Valley neighborhood

George Lucas is moving forward with his promise.

"Star Wars" creator George Lucas could, indeed, make good on his idea of building affordable housing right next door to the high-income NIMBYs who blocked his plans for a production studio near his Lucas Valley ranch complex.

Lucas empire strikes back against rich NIMBYS

His Marin County neighbors and conservationists have dismissed Lucas' musings as sour grapes, and say low-income housing could never be built in such a remote and environmentally sensitive location.  But those in the know disagree."  San Francisco Chronicle, Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross, Columnist, 5/19/12.  "George Lucas might build affordable housing."  Read Article.

George Lucas said... "We plan to sell the Grady property expecting that the land will revert back to its original use for residential housing," he wrote. "We hope we will be able to find a developer who will be interested in low income housing since it is scarce in Marin. If everyone feels that housing is less impactful on the land, then we are hoping that people who need it the most will benefit."

Lucas' move to make the upscale neighborhood affordable-housing friendly raised questions about whether he's attempting to exact revenge on his stubborn neighbors or even whether he's bluffing about a plan that's not real.

Thomas Peters, president and CEO of the Marin Community Foundation, can vouch for the plan's seriousness. The foundation is one of the largest in the country for investing money in philanthropic projects, so Peters immediately put a call into Lucasfilm after reading the statement.

..... Early plans are looking at building about 300 apartments and condos on the land, most likely for senior citizens in need. Peters estimates the project will take about two years to complete."  ABC News/Christina NG, 5/17/12.  "George Lucas' California Housing Proposal to Become Reality."   Read Article.

Posted by Kathy Meeh