Anatomy of a Dream
How Las Vegas developed into a world renowned entertainment resort has already been documented in a number of movies. The story about a small-time hustler, Bugsy Siegel, who had a vision that would later be embraced by major corporations and millionaire developers, is part of American folklore.

The question now is whether Inglewood would gain more from a small-timer with a vision to "raise us beyond what we are," or benefit more from a number of nationally-ranked corporations who are eager to take us (and leave us) exactly as we are. Below is an example of how a Bugsy Seigal could operate with the "tools that exist today," without needing the backing and funding from "the mob."

Las Vegas desert The Process--1945 Inglewood, California The Process--2004
Bugsy Siegel, a low-level gangster known for his Hollywood good looks and hair trigger temper, was sent from New York to oversee the mob's West Coast operations in Los Angeles. He made numerous visits to Las Vegas, a remote, gambling outpost. Bugsy Siegel, a low-level developer known for building discount stores and Strip Malls, arrives in Southern California to look for some business opportunities. He happens upon Inglewood, a small land-locked community next to LAX in the Los Angeles Basin.
Bugsy, always looking for an opportunity, jumps from his car to survey a lonely area that was seven miles from downtown Las Vegas, a desert-locked city known for plain roadside hotels that catered to cowboys and country-types who wore boots. Bugsy heard about the Wal-Mart battle and visits the site. He jumps from his car to survey a 90-acre parking lot along 90th Street. He also knows that another 250-acres may be available once the race track moves to Irvine, California.
Bugsy is hit with a "vision." The culmination of all his dreams is suddenly taking shape in the middle of the Las Vegas Desert!" Bugsy is hit with a "vision." His bottom-feeding days are over as the culmination of all his dreams is taking shape on the site known as Hollywood Park Racetrack!
Bugsy imagines a palatial sized hotel that will draw hundreds of celebrities and tourist with a pockets full of money. He is overwhelmed with the idea... "If I build it, they will come!" Bugsy imagines a palatial size hotel and theme park replicating the "Harlem Renaissance in the Roarin 20s," featuring the Cotton Club, Apollo and Small's Paradise to draw tourist from all over the world. "Build it, and they will come!"
Bugs dashes off to beg his mob partners, Meyer Lansky and Lucky Luciano to put up $5 million to build the Flamingo, which will cost $6 million. Then he must build roads and airports to bring the people to Las Vegas! Bugsey runs to the Inglewood Redevelopment Agency to use their $100-million on hand, plus $200 hundred millions in Bonds to build the theme park, convention center, hotels, Performing Arts Center, next to LAX Airport where 70--million tourist arrive each year! .
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