By Ruth Manuel-Logan on Jun 3rd 2010 11:46AM
Joe Jackson, patriarch of the Jackson family, and Gary, Ind., officials inked a deal on Wednesday to get plans underway for a
Michael Jackson Museum and Performing Arts Center.
The project is expected to cost somewhere around $300 million, and residents are hopeful that it will revitalize the gritty and financially stretched industrial town.
The folks who live in Gary, though, have heard plans like this before and are skeptical that they will ever really come to fruition.
Back in 2003, Michael visited his hometown to publicize plans for the center, but the ball never got rolling. No one knew who was paying for the mega-project at the time, so the idea was shelved.
Who will pay for the center now? Gary Mayor Rudy Clay says the funds to build the Jackson Family Museum and hotel and the Michael Jackson Performing Arts and Cultural Center and theaters would come from the Jackson Family Foundation, as well as other donors and investors. At this point, Joe Jackson has not released any information regarding how much his foundation will chip in.
He says he's elated that the project is finally moving in some direction, according Associated Press. "This is a happy day for me because this is something that my family and Michael have always wanted," he said. "We're bringing something back."
As far as Michael's estate's involvement in the proposed project, lawyer Howard Weitzman is not on board. He told the AP:
"The estate of Michael Jackson was never consulted about, nor is it involved in, the Jackson Family museum being proposed in Gary, Indiana. The Estate has no connection to this project."
Clay is hopeful the project will be a success for his city, which is in dire need of a business to generate jobs for its residents and to gain tourism dollars.
Although the city has allotted 300 acres of land for the site, and this move is actually a first step in a positive direction, many are still taking a wait-and-see approach to the proposal.
http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=868400&pid=868399&uts=1275442191
http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf
Your Hottest News Stories
28-May-2010 - Child actor
Gary Coleman - best known for his role as
Arnold Drummond on the sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes - has died at the age of 42.
Click Here for the Complete StoryLarry Busacca, Tribeca Film festival / Getty Images
Getty Images North America
Your Hottest News Stories
28-May-2010 - Child actor Gary Coleman - best known for his role as Arnold Drummond on the sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes - has died at the age of 42.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
27-May-2010 - CNN was a little embarrassed after accidentally playing a rap song with the N-word in it. The gaffe was part of a segment about a 103-year-old woman, Gladys Flamer, who still drives herself around and lives alone in Coatsville, Pa.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
25-May-2010 - Mattel has launched a new line of Barbie dolls called "Back to Basics (pictured below)," which features several dolls, white and black, in (what I can only term) "after-5" wear: There are off-the-shoulder dresses, strapless minis and plunging necklines. The whole thing is absolutely freaky. It's like some odd soft porno featuring call-girl dolls.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
24-May-2010 - The 21-year-old R&B sensation recently went on a Tweeting tirade against Atlanta-based celeb gossip blogger Sandra Rose. Reportedly, Brown resorted to attacking the blogger's complexion by using juvenile "you're so black" jokes.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
23-May-2010 - If I'm blessed enough to live past my 10th decade on this planet, then 103-year-old Gladys Flamer is going to be my blueprint for how to behave after I pass the century mark.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
21-May-10 - Its tough for a tiger to change its stripes. And in the case of the 70-year-old Julianna Farrait, wife of Frank Lucas, one of the most notorious drug kingpins in American history, prison stripes might again be a part of her wardrobe.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
20-May-10 - A Memphis, Tenn., man was babysitting his girlfriend's toddler when she defecated on the floor. The man reacted to the accident by beating the 2-year-old toddler to death with a basketball shoe.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
17-May-10 - Geoffrey Fieger, the attorney representing the family of Aiyana Jones, a 7-year old who was shot dead during a police raid, says police are trying to cover up the truth about what exactly happened.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
18-May-10 - Vicki Valentine has had to live through the foreclosure nightmare that is affecting all of America. She recently watched a crew of men break the lock on her door and take possession of the home she owned for 30 years. Her father paid off the mortgage in 1984, only to see his daughter lose the home 26 years later over a $362 water bill.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
18-May-10 - President Barack Obama's very colorful, very opinionated ex-pastor, Jeremiah Wright, is making headlines yet again, but this time it is in the form of the written word. The Associated Press came across an explosive, missive written by Wright that talks about the president in a very unflattering light.
Click Here for the Complete Story
Your Hottest News Stories
Michelle Obama Attends Beyonce Concert
7 Weird Ways To Bug-Proof Your Picnic
Comments: (5)
Add a comment
By: churnet winborne on 6/03/2010 7:41PM
I think that's a wonderful idea! A fitting tribute to the forever reigning king of pop
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Bernadette on 6/04/2010 11:32AM
The museum sounds nice if Joe is not involved. I strongly believe he could provide vital information regarding Michael's introduction to the Music Industry via a multimedia presentation. Handsoff Joe to anything else. You showed your true feelings during the passing of your beloved son. Your main focus is money and will continue to be money. Mrs. Jackson don't let Joe ruin this brilliant idea because of his own selfish ways. Hire someone who will see this dream fulfilled.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Chi Lites Son Darren on 8/12/2010 10:47AM
The Chi Lites Son Darren Says:
October 10th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Chi Lites Son Darren To LISA PRESLEY
LISA PRESLEY father died in abuse Lisa Pressley do you think that a reform inside of the entertainment field with Elvis Legacy and the legacies of legendary black entertainers?
I think Lisa Presley and many of the legacies of Entertainment Icons like my father Creadel Jones from the legendary Chi Lites and our families legendary legacies from the entertainment Hollywood and music should work to gather to fight the abuse of legacies like my father Creadel Jones from The Legendary Chi Lites music and his nick Patten town Chi Town none as Chicago Ill and your legendary father Elvis.
By you and your legendary father Elvis legacy working with our legacies all of the legacies and the legacies of legendary entertainers your legendary Elvis Legacy can be the way to protect legacies of Legendary Michael Jackson the real king of pop, and your King of Rock will stop the abuse that cases entertainment legendary Icons like our father’s legendary historic founding of the American Culture and our planet treasures and values for your children and generations in the future.
The Deaths of Michael Jackson could have been prevented and the deaths of Legendary Icon the Chi Lites founding singer my father Creadel Jones that died sleeping homeless from abuse and exploitation homeless could have been stopped.
Michael Jackson is very close to the Chi Lites and my mother and father Creadel Jones and me.I believe we can create the first ever Bill government protected and enforced Bill that will stop abuse to Elvis legacy and my loved father Creadel Jones and his Legendary Chi Lites and all Legendary entertainers like Marvin Gaye, and Icons that made America what it has been shaped.
With you helping and president Obama Oprah Winfery lead on the Bill To Protect legendary Icons from abuse are exploitation Michael Jackson and your father’s legacy and children empire will be protect along with American Icons. The first ever Bill to Protect Legendary Entertainers Historic Dreams and legacy.
You’re for Mr. Elvis Would love your guiding lead to protect the legacies of all legendary American Musicians and Icons. This Historic Bill will protect all icon historic achievements tour out the world. Contact Oprah. Michael Jackson said Make That Change help do it.
Thank You
God Bless
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: The Chi Lites Son Darren on 8/16/2010 2:36PM
The Chi Lites Son Darren Says:
August 10th, 2010 at 8:24 am
To Find Out More On A Bill Created Under Micheal Jackson Legacy To protect Legendary Entertainers From Exploitation See Http://www.ChiLites.Ning.Com
And Call 1 866 Oprah XM At 12:00 PM To 8:00 PM
Dail 1 For Oprah Voice Mail And 2 For Gale King Voice Mail
Oprah Winfery Look Foward In Hearing From You!
Help Stop Entertainment Legacy Mistreatment And Abuse
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Cookie on 10/29/2010 1:29PM
Great Venture! I'm in. Where can donations be sent to make this happen? I'm as good as there. I'd love to visit the museum and touch some of Mike's furniture or view his belongings etc. (yea, groupie me) I miss him so much. I have no doubt he will perform his moves in heaven when the time comes for us to all rejoice before the Lord's throne, as for now Heaven is full of prayer while Jesus is there making intercession for the saints til every guest who's name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life is present, THEN,,,The Party Starts, The Marriage Supper of the Lamb...an allout Blowout Bash,.,.,.It's over, we made it, We were saved and will live and reign with Christ FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This