Jul 22, 2008 6:18 pm US/Central
Could Gary Finally Get Jackson Family Museum?
GARY, Ind. (CBS) ―
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An artist's rendering of a possible Jackson Family museum in Gary, Ind.
CBS
Gary, Ind., could soon be the home to a new museum dedicated to its most famous family: the Jacksons – as in Michael, Janet, Tito, Jermaine, LaToya and their siblings.
As CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports, their proud papa Joseph Jackson was in Gary Tuesday for a new reality show about the family.
The Jackson siblings grew up in Gary, so when the dad who developed their talent pays the city a visit, it's a sign-worthy day.
Posters taped to the doors at Gary's City Hall said "Come meet Joe."" Mayor Rudy Clay led the charge.
While Joe Jackson shot footage for his new reality TV show, Clay talked about plans for a home for some of the musical family's memorabilia; plans that have failed before.
"We had to get a commitment solid from Joe here today. We got that on camera," Clay said. Asked whether he got the commitment in writing, Clay said, "Let me put it like this, the paperwork has to come after the commitment.
The developer wouldn't speak with us on camera, but said the museum would be near Grant Street and Interstate 80/94. She also said the project's in the earliest of stages, but would be privately funded.
Joe Jackson said he was lending his approval to it, but was not promising to help finance it.
The family reportedly has had financial issues. Longtime confidant Majestik Magnificent said that's false.
"M.J. can make more money on accident than more people can on purpose. They say he's losing Neverland, but anything that goes away from Michael is because he don't want it anymore," Magnificent said.
What do the people of Gary want? Restaurant manager Mike Parker said, "We're behind anything that will make Gary better." That would include a museum that might bring business to places like his restaurant.
Joe Jackson and the entourage ate at Parker's restaurant before heading to the home where the whole history began and where a crowd welcomed him and the new Jackson Family Boulevard.
Viewers might have seen recent pictures of Michael Jackson in a wheelchair. Joe Jackson didn't talk about that, but he said everyone in the family is doing just fine.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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