The Evel Knievel Museum, which has been open for four years in Kansas, is leaving Topeka; the 13,000 square foot museum is dedicated to the motorcycle daredevil who soared to mega-popularity in the 1970s.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Developer J Dapper said he is working with landlord Jonathan Kermani to bring the museum to the Las Vegas Arts District.
“The story that came out in Las Vegas is a bit premature. The deal is not completely done, but it is imminent,” the museum said in a press release Tuesday morning.
“There are more people involved in this decision than just us our team in Topeka. This has been a joint venture with the Knievel family from the beginning. The museum has received many awards, had great reviews and received a lot of national exposure. This led to the Knievel family exploring the possibility of having our team move the museum to Las Vegas where the attraction can realize it’s greatest potential. Having the museum in Topeka has been awesome for us, but it is not realizing it’s potential for the Knievel family. We are not selling out to anyone in Las Vegas. Our Topeka team will installing and operating the museum in Las Vegas.”
The museum said the move will not be immediate.
“This is not something that is going to happen immediately. It will be a couple of years before any move, if this deal is completed. We’re very proud of what the museum has done for tourism in Topeka and will continue to do for the immediate future.”
The two-story museum is located next to the Harley Davidson dealership at the corner of SW Topeka Boulevard & SW 21st Street.