Designed by Beijing-based architect Ma Yansong, the museum features a "floating" disc atop a mountainlike building that will house an observation deck. View Full Caption Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

CHICAGO — Friends of the Parks isn't backing down from its opposition to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art's proposed lakefront milieu.

The local advocacy group, which sued City Hall over the proposed museum site near Soldier Field last year, filed a reply to the City of Chicago and Chicago Park District's motions to dismiss the case Thursday evening, federal court records show.

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In the filing, Friends of the Parks alleges city officials violated the 14th Amendment by granting the plum real estate to the Lucas Museum before the Illinois General Assembly could take a vote. The grassroots group also alleges the land, which is owned by the Chicago Park District, was granted before public input was considered.

"By cutting the General Assembly out of the decision, and failing to seek authorization from a body that is less self-interested in commercializing the lakefront, the defendants are rushing to impair a property interest without the 'fundamental fairness' that the (14th Amendment) requires," Friends of the Parks said in the Thursday filing.

A federal judge is set to rule on City Hall's motions to dismiss Feb. 26. A city spokesman said City Hall plans to file its own rebuttal to Thursday's filing, declining to comment further.

A Chicago Park District spokeswoman and Friends of the Parks President Cassandra Francis did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

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