GARY | While traveling to Las Vegas next week, Mayor Rudy Clay hopes the city doesn't roll snake eyes in its effort to land tourism and community venues related to honoring Michael Jackson and his family.
Clay said he accepted an invitation to attend a news conference announcing the locations of the Jackson-themed museum featuring family memorabilia and a performing arts center named after the King of Pop.
The conference is expected to happen Wednesday, and Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson's father, would be the host, according to Simon Sahouri, publisher of LvH magazine in Las Vegas. Sahouri said the announcement dovetails with other events Tuesday, including Joe Jackson's receiving an award and his and the family's attending a screening of the documentary, "This Is It," prior to its Wednesday release.
Sahouri said he is a part of the group that will lead the projects and said part of the announcement will involve the state of Indiana and Clay. Sahouri declined to give further details.
Clay said he's making the trip on his own dime and didn't release specific details regarding the announcement.
Gary officials have made no secret over the years of their hopes to attract a Jackson-themed venue in the city. The Times reported that the plans for a Jackson family-related performing arts center first were announced in summer 2003. Development plans stalled over the years. After Jackson died June 25, Clay has said there has been more progress, including calls from parties interested in developing a Gary venue.
Linda Key, city consultant and CEO of Key West Communications, said the benefit Gary could receive from a venue is "phenomenal" because there are an estimated 70 million Jackson fans worldwide. Key also helped coordinate the Jackson memorial event in July at The Steel Yard.
"Gary will be considered a destination because of Michael Jackson's life and the celebration of his life and his home," Key said. "Tourism dollars create tremendous money for a community in terms of indirect and direct costs."
Key said the museum could feature a replica of Jackson's boyhood home at 2300 Jackson St. If the city were able to land it and potentially even a hotel, space near the Genesis Convention Center at Broadway and Fifth Avenue could be offered, Key said.
A proposal was removed from Gary Common Council consideration to create two city departments to manage a Jackson performing arts center and museum. Clay revised the proposal to say private organizations would be created or tapped to raise money to establish the venues.
Clay also congratulated former Gary Mayor Richard Hatcher who will receive an award Saturday at an event at the National Conference of Black Mayors convention in Las Vegas. Clay is missing the event because he is traveling to Las Vegas on Monday and leaving on Wednesday.
