Mob Museum a worthy Vegas attraction

Las Vegas thrives on buzz. Major hotel-casino openings. Cutting-edge entertainment. Branding and messaging that convey a unique visitor experience.

Although the city has managed to maintain its place as a preferred business and vacation destination, the past few years of economic turmoil have been a buzz kill. Gone are the headlines touting job growth and huge construction projects. In their place are references to unemployment and foreclosures. Big splashes have been smaller and less frequent.

But with today's opening of the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, Las Vegas appears to have some of its media mojo back. This attraction, years in the making and the favorite project of former mayor and mafia defense attorney Oscar Goodman, won't suffer from a lack of free publicity.

Almost from the moment Mr. Goodman first pitched his idea of turning a historic post office into a museum of mob history, some citizens and civic leaders have worried that such a place might reflect poorly on the community. The intention of the project was never to glorify crime and the shocking acts of violence that mobsters have carried out in pursuit of power and wealth, but to acknowledge their place in American and Las Vegas history, as well as the police work that brought mafia members to justice.

The popularity of mob movies, TV shows and books reflect an ongoing public fascination with organized crime. The high-quality, reality-based experience put together by the musuem's creative team would seem to have broad appeal.

But if the content of the Mob Museum's exhibits wasn't controversial enough, the funding of the museum's construction sure was. Taxpayers picked up almost the entire $42 million bill, through state and federal grants, city general funds and redevelopment revenue. The museum became a lightning rod in Washington when it appeared it might receive federal stimulus funding (ultimately, it didn't).

A destination that has created political and cultural controversies before even opening? Yes, it does seem like a perfect fit for Las Vegas. The curious won't be able to resist it.

Here's hoping they come in large numbers, paying full admission. Because now that the Mob Museum is open, the nonprofit entity that operates it will face a challenge all too familiar to downtown Las Vegas employers: attracting enough customers to stay in business.

As long as the Mob Museum is open, it will be a source of controversy. But it should strive to avoid one scandal in particular: using tax dollars to subsidize operations. The City Council and the museum must make a solemn pledge to the public that, in these times of fiscal sacrifice, taxpayers won't be subjected to yet another shakedown. That would make the Mob Museum experience a little too real.