"Star Wars" filmmaker George Lucas is among 16 contenders who want to develop part of San Francisco's scenic Presidio park. He submitted a plan on Friday for an art museum---housing much of his own collection---as a main attraction in the federally-managed park.

Works by American artists Norman Rockwell, Grant Wood and Maxfield Parrish are cornerstones of the collection Lucas has formed over the course of 40 years. The museum would focus on populist art, from classic illustration art to children's books, fashion to digital art.

His Lucas Cultural Arts Museum would cost about $300 million to build and would receive a $400 million endowment upon opening, and more money when he died.

In all, his artwork plus the museum development itself could total a $1 billion gift to the city.

Other contenders for the Presidio development include plans for an observatory and a Golden Gate Bridge attraction.

Lucas has already opened the Letterman Digital Arts Center in the park.

A National Historic Landmark, the Presidio resides on oceanview land at the northern tip of the city. It once served as a military base.

The late Donald Fisher, founder of the Gap, had proposed a museum in the Presidio to house his modern and contemporary art collection, but opposition to his building plans caused him to donate to SFMoMA instead.

For more information about the development proposals, go to www.presidio.gov.