Lawyers for the city and the parks group tussled in court for more than a year over the legality of the proposal on land formerly part of Lake Michigan. A federal judge allowed the lawsuit to proceed, stating the park group adequately stated a claim. The city of Chicago then filed a motion in federal appeals court, essentially asking a panel of judges to toss out the parks group's lawsuit, which would clear the way for the project. The project had all the necessary city and state approvals. The appeals court had not yet ruled on the city's motion.