SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Craig Jackson has told WestWorld of Scottsdale to keep its doors open for his auto auction through 2008, but he is still negotiating with Glendale to find a permanent home for the event. Jackson, auction president, has already secured the WestWorld equestrian center for next year’s Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction, according to the East Valley Tribune newspaper. Additionally, in a March 3 letter to Scottsdale officials, Jackson exercised an option in his contract with the city to hold that space for 2007 and 2008.

But that doesn’t commit Jackson to actually use WestWorld, Barrett-Jackson spokesman Jason Rose said. He could choose to move the auction while keeping part of the event in Scottsdale.

Jackson has been in talks with Glendale about moving the auction to that city’s new arena, which houses the Phoenix Coyotes professional hockey team. Scottsdale officials, meanwhile, are trying to negotiate to keep the event, reported the East Valley Tribune.

The auction has sold more than $60 million in cars this year. Jackson said WestWorld is no longer big enough. Scottsdale has planned $89 million in improvements, in part to keep Barrett-Jackson.

But Jackson said those improvements aren’t enough. Still, recent discussions between Jackson and city officials have been productive, and Scottsdale hopes to improve WestWorld for next year’s auction, Rose said in the East Valley Tribune.