GARY | It was five years ago this summer when Michael Jackson returned to his hometown of Gary to receive a key to the city.

On Tuesday, it was the father following in his son's footsteps.

Joe Jackson, who turns 80 on Saturday, received his birthday gift early when Gary Mayor Rudy Clay presented him not only with the key to the city, but also with updated plans for the proposed Jackson Museum and Cultural Center and unveiled a new street sign in honor of the Jackson family.

The entire interior of Gary City Hall was decked out with large, fresh-cut flower arrangements and draped fabric swags, while signs reading "Welcome Home Joe Jackson" covered all the doors and windows.

"This key not only represents the key to Gary, but also represents the key that will unlock the door of the future Jackson Family Museum," Clay said during a brief morning ceremony on the second floor of Gary City Hall. It was prior to the afternoon street sign unveiling at 2300 Jackson St. in front of the original home of the Jackson Five.

Following the ceremony, Clay and Jackson, who wasn't accompanied by any of his immediate family members, along with a few guests, were whisked away in a long black limousine and large black Hummer to lunch at the new Dusty's Buffet Restaurant inside the Gary RailCats stadium.

Clay, Jackson and Joel Rodriguez, special assistant to the mayor for the department of development, met for a roundtable discussion before the 11 a.m. key ceremony to discuss plans for the Jackson Family tribute property. The concept first was unveiled by former Mayor Scott King during Michael Jackson's 2003 visit and initially referred to as The Michael Jackson Performance Arts Center.

On the subject of the location for the proposed Jackson Museum or a financial commitment from the Jackson Family, both Jackson and Clay were less vocal.

Rodriguez would only say "it's early in the process" and that the project would be "geared by private development" and located in "the downtown area along Broadway."

A preliminary artist sketch provided by Rodriguez with details of the proposed structure depicts a large glass atrium lobby, a vast theater space and an exterior LED movie screen visible to anyone driving or walking by the front of the building.

"We, as the Jackson family, are proud of our Gary roots," said Jackson, whose last visit to Gary was nearly two decades ago.

"So much has changed here since my last visit. There are great days ahead for Gary."

Jackson said he was particularly pleased to see an easel in the main foyer of Gary City Hall displaying a photograph of Clay with Obama, or as Jackson described him: "the next president of the United States."

"Myself and my entire family supports Obama and he will be our next president," Jackson said.