Tuesday, September 09, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Plate to raise $1.8 million for city's centennial celebrations

About 1,000 motorists a month signing up

The Las Vegas Centennial license plate will raise about $1.8 million to pay for celebrating the city's 100th birthday in 2005, officials estimated Monday.

About 1,000 motorists a month sign up for the plate, which features an image of the iconic "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.

The plate, which costs $61, of which $25 goes to the city of Las Vegas, has already brought in more than $200,000, according to city employee Stacy Allsbrook.

Las Vegas will reach the $1.8 million figure if new plate applications continue at the current rate and current plate holders renew their centennial plates.

"The object is to not use any taxpayer money for the centennial," Allsbrook said. "I will go with that until I hit a block wall."

Las Vegas is negotiating another deal that could bring in even more money for centennial celebrations, which mark the founding of the city on May 15, 1905, the date the railroad auctioned off 110 acres between Stewart and Garces avenues and Main and Fifth streets.

Media company Clear Channel Communications Inc. has proposed producing concerts, Las Vegas-themed touring productions and other celebrations paid for by corporate sponsors.

Under the proposal, which the city's Centennial Celebration Committee will decide to accept or reject later this month, Clear Channel would keep 20 percent of the money it raises. The remainder would cover production and promotion costs. Any excess cash would be turned over to the city.

The committee also heard proposals Monday for a centennial slogan. "We Did It Our Way," a play on the title of the Paul Anka song made famous by Frank Sinatra, emerged as the favorite.

Questions over obtaining rights to use the phrase kept the committee from approving it. "I'm going to call up Paul Anka and see if he'll let us use it and sing it himself," Mayor Oscar Goodman said.