Firms seek roles in LV centennial

Tuesday, July 15, 2003 | 11:04 a.m.

Two corporations have asked to play major roles in the Las Vegas town site centennial set for May 2005.

Clear Channel Broadcasting and Insignia Films made presentations Monday before the nine-member Centennial Executive Committee. Clear Channel wants to raise the corporate funds to put on the event and Insignia wants to make a three-hour documentary film of the history of Las Vegas.

Because they were presented as informational items only, the committee took no action. Both items will come before the panel again in August for votes, Centennial Project Manager Stacy Allsbrook said.

"This is huge -- absolutely huge -- to get major parties like this to come to us and ask to be a part of our centennial," Allsbrook said.

Clear Channel, a national media organization that operates four local radio stations and has produced major rock concerts and a Super Bowl halftime show, proposes to be the centennial agent, seeking corporate sponsorships for a 20 percent fee to raise the bulk of the money for the celebration.

"This plan could raise millions of dollars and leave the city with no risk," Allsbrook said.

Insignia Films, which produces "American Experience with Ken Burns" on the Public Broadcasting System and has produced documentaries and CDs, proposes to raise the money for its Las Vegas film privately and asks only for the city's endorsement.

One of the centennial goals is to produce a yearlong series of events at no cost to taxpayers, Allsbrook said.

The main celebration is scheduled for May 13-15, 2005. The land auction that created the original townsite between what is now Stewart and Garces avenues and Las Vegas Boulevard and Main Street occurred on May 15, 1905.

The city has to date earned more than $210,000 from the issuing of more than 8,400 license plates commemorating the 100th anniversary of the city.