After four years in Topeka, the Evel Knievel Museum could leave the capital.
A Las Vegas newspaper reported late Monday that a contractor in that city is partnering with a landlord who owns land there to bring the Evel Knievel Museum to the Las Vegas Arts District. The news surprised many local leaders.
In a press release on Tuesday, Amanda Beach, the museum’s marketing director, endorsed the report. She said the Las Vegas newspaper’s announcement was “a little premature,” but added the deal “is imminent.”
“There are more people involved in this decision than just our team in Topeka,” she said. “This was a joint venture with the Knievel family from the start. The museum has received many awards, received good reviews, and received a lot of national attention.
“This led the Knievel family to consider the possibility of having our team relocate the museum to Las Vegas, where the attraction can reach its greatest potential.”
According to the press release, the museum’s Topeka team would install and operate the museum in Las Vegas if a deal is made. The release indicated that the move won’t happen immediately, but could take place in the next few years.
“This museum deserves to be in a tourist destination,” said Beach, “and I don’t think anyone would question that Las Vegas makes the most sense for the Evel Knievel Museum since Evel’s history is in that city.”
Sean Dixon, President of Visit Topeka, said Tuesday’s announcement came as a surprise to officials at the Greater Topeka Partnership.
“This was definitely not a planned release,” he said.
Though the museum deal has not yet been finalized, Dixon said the loss of the attraction was noteworthy, adding that the museum will welcome up to 40,000 people in a non-COVID-19 year.
“The way we market this area, this museum is definitely at the forefront of our main attractions and main events,” said Dixon. “It is worth tens of thousands of visitors every year. … Reputationally it was a pretty good thing to be here.”
But the museum isn’t the only attraction Topeka has to offer, he said, pointing out attractions like the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center and the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center.
“It’s a big one, but it’s not the biggest,” Dixon said of the museum. “I would say that anyone who generally feels negative about this is happening is underestimating Topeka and underestimating our Midwest travel destination draw.”
Dixon said he will continue to work with the Evel Knievel team to see what else could work at the museum’s current location, 2047 SW Topeka Blvd., if the move to Las Vegas bears fruit. Beach said that Topekans might see another tourist attraction there.
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The Las Vegas Review journal first reported on the potential museum deal, revealing that developer J Dapper said Monday it would work with landlord Jonathan Kermani to facilitate the museum’s move.
Earlier reports in the Review Journal suggest that Dapper is a Las Vegas developer, the Dapper Cos. while Kermani is a Los Angeles-based investor who owns real estate in the Las Vegas Arts District and elsewhere in the city.
The Evel Knievel Museum first opened in Topeka in 2017 and has been attracting visitors from all over the world ever since. It is dedicated to American daredevil and stunt performer Robert Craig Knievel, also known as Evel Knievel, who died in 2007 at the age of 69.
