Residents oppose turning Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch into a tourist attraction

Residents of the Santa Ynez Valley have banded together to oppose making a tourist attraction out of Michael Jackson's former Neverland estate.

Although the owners of the 4-square-mile ranch have not formally proposed developing it, they have not ruled it out, raising alarm among neighbors in the rural area of vineyards and horse properties.

"We get mixed messages," said Bob Field, a spokesman for Never!, a new group that claims the support of many community organizations. "We want to resolve this thing in the valley, between neighbors, and not in front of the county or, heaven forbid, a judge."

Zoned for agricultural use, Neverland lacks public water and sewer systems and sits on a narrow road five miles from a state highway.

Rumors of transforming it into a Graceland-like destination have circulated since Jackson's death. Field said that Colony Capital, the private equity firm that owns Neverland, had been vague about the ranch's future and had fueled speculation by hosting 150 prominent residents for dinners at the ranch and handing out caps that say "Neverland 2009."

Colony Capital declined comment.

-- Steve Chawkins

Photo: Main house at Neverland Ranch. Credit: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times

Full coverage: Michael Jackson's Life and Death

Comments

[paula]

RE: JACKSON BURIAL AT NEVERLAND RANCH: IT IS MY STRONG OPINION THAT MICHAEL JACKSON HAS BEEN FINANCIALLY EXPLOITED AND USED AS A FORSAKEN CASH COW IN LIFE, DO NOT LET THIS CONTINUE IN HIS DEATH. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROPERLY LAID TO REST IMMIDIATELY AFTER HIS DEATH AND NOT HELD FOR FINANCIAL RANSOM. TO BE EXPLOITED IN DEATH BY HAVING HIS GRAVE SITE A TOURIST ATTRACTION. THIS MAKES ME SICK TO THE STOMACH.

[Marie]

Good for them. If there was any doubt it would be a circus, the self-serving behavior, paid (reportedly) interviews and circular firing squad we've seen should put that to rest.

Maybe someday they'll pause long enough to get around to burying Michael.

[swf]

The Jackson Family has never let anything get in the way of making money. The Valley is going to see an eternal flame in Neverland that can be seen from space, a Joe Jackson Parenting Center, The LaToya Mental Health retreat, and a Super Wal Mart sized gift shoppe. Come one, come all.

[Albert]

This should be no surprise, the snobby people of Santa Barbara oppose everything..

[Matt]

I say NO! I've been camping in the Los Padres National Forest right down the road from Neverland, and it would be a shame if that place was clogged with gawkers and Jackson fans. They do not have the infrastructure, nor is it a good idea to have large groups of people in and out, milling around, and most likely trashing beautiful, protected land.

[Raffi]

You will find "local residents" who oppose just about everything ever proposed. Using the ranch as a Graceland type of destination would not inhibit their ability to farm, the road can easily be widened, and their property values will only go up.

[erik self]

The legacy and life of Michael Jackson which includes his home is his and his families and business partners affair it is not the "Santa Barbara Horse Ranchers right nor privilege to decide what will happen to Neverland it is a national treasure now just like Michael Jacksons talent....Erik Self

[jean123456]

too bad santabarbarans, people from all the world (I'm in Europe) we can't wait to visit that Michael heaven, I'll go for sure as soon as they open, it will be a key stop for any world tour operator in California, if you don't like it why don't you move to Maine?

[greg]

I wouldn't want to live near it myself, but I think they are missing out on a GREAT opportunity here. As long as ALL of the necessary improvements are paid for by the estate, it will provide jobs and taxes. Good things to have, especially now. Besides if you can get past the hype, it's not much of a legacy, it will probably be all over in 10 years anyway.

[Red]

I have lived and worked in Santa Barbara since 2000, and I attest to the selfish and snobby attitude people have here. They would move this town to an island if they could, so no one else could ever move here. They usually have signs/bumper stickers that read "Keep L.A. 100 miles away."

This is really a beautiful place but do you really need to say NO to everything?

Granted, Figueroa Mountain rd is too narrow for a tourist destination, but why not wait until the Neverland proposal is unveiled?

[Paster]

Doncha love the NIMBYs.

[Lauren]

Who give a damn what the Los Olivos residents want? Neverland would provide much needed tax revs to a state that is desperate for cash. MJ is a global treasure and Icon and it would bring another landmark to the beautiful state of California. There are people all over the world who would flockt to see it and a Chinese Billionare has already offered to build a replica and attraction if America won't do it.

[OTI &NICK]

I am a fan of Michael Jackson. We have listened him for decades, we have loved and understand music because of him and we dont want people around him trying to make money out of his grave.
But Michael respected very much his fans and everybody would be happy if neverland ranch can be opened to fans and public, and give the whole income for CHARITY as Michael wanted.He would aprove it, He would say yes inmediatly.
Who could refuse to this idea?, I know it`s sounds a little idealistic, but at the end Michael was like that and it fits perfect in his way.
Then Michael`s wishes would come reality ; heal the world and change it. what a wonderfull proposal to make to Santa Barbara comunity..
MICHAEL YOU DESERVE MORE THAN WE CAN GIVE YOU IN DEATH, WE LOVE YOU MORE THAN EVER. R.I.P. Olga & Nicolàs

[LISA]

THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE COMPLAINING FOR MICHAEL NOT TO BE BURIED AT NEVERLAND ARE RACIST...ITS ONLY OBVIOUS! HOW CAN YOU BURY MICHAEL AT ANY CEMEMTARY! NO MATTER WHERE..THOUSANDS OF FANS WILL COME TO PAY RESPECTS. ELVIS HAD PROBLEMS WHEN HE WAS BURIED.
THEY HAD TO MOVE HIM TO GRACELAND BECAUSE SOMEONE
TRIED TO STEAL IS BODY. MICHAEL WANTS HIS LEGACY TO LIVE FOREVER & THAT'S THROUGH HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS, & FANS FOREVER...NEVERLAND SHOULD BE FOR MICHAEL!
HE LIVED THERE FOR 2 DECADES...ITS NOT UP TO YOU SANTA BARBARA HORTY TORTYS!

[He's a legend]

I think they'd better deal with it or move.

[Paula]

This was Michael's only home - and for nearly 20 years these people's neighbor. What is wrong with you people? Also, how could you not have this place a permanant resting place, for his children- who also called this place home- for Daddy. Please think- where else should he be???????

[michelle]

well to me i think they shouldn't open neverland for people to come in and see everything he had thats just wrong i would never do that once that was his home till the cops came and he felt like that never land wasn't his home anymore so i think the family should not open never land and i wouldn't lay him to rest there he hated never land and didn't want to go back there .if they open and lay him to rest there that is so sad and wrong for them to do ......

[Jules]

What the locals don't realize is this... Every town in America, changes. Economy changes. This is going to be a boost to the economy. People are always resistant to change, but without it, we would never grow as a nation!

As for the "tourists", we've loved Michael for a very long time. He was a long time resident of the valley as well, and deserves his say. Let his family and friends have that say!

Graceland was an honor to Elvis, and Neverland should be the same for Michael. Opening Neverland to the public is not to exploit his death for money, it is out of respect for the life he lived. Of course, it would not be feasible to open it, unless there were revenue.

So many people, all over the world, would visit to pay their respects. Neverland was a place of magic to Michael. Where people would lose their worry and dream of a brighter future. Let Micheal's dream of this magical place continue, in honor of him!

[Enzo419]

Michael jackson payed taxes just like everyone else in that valley.If Ronald Reagan can be buried at his Presidential Library then Michael Jackson should be able to be buried at his Neverland Ranch.If the neighbors don't like it well tough for then, it's called progress.

[michael brandon]

if nerverland ever opened to the public thay have to do some major changes.

1 of the changes they would have to do is build a welcome center where you have to buy tickets and then take a bus to get there and back to the welcome after the tour. { they do this a graceland and you are not even allowed to walk to graceland.}

2. they also need to hire people to pass out headphone sto people once they get off the bus and each room should have a number. so when you go to a room and you will have to hit that room number on you headphones.

3. also in each room they would have Security to make sure people keep moving so they can get everyone thru.

all this being done at graceland and it will work for neverland. if they want to open it to the public.

[Jason]

Who cares if a few Jackson fanatics snap photos of his estate?

The people who live in affluent parts of southern Santa Barbara County are generally snobby rich folks who only care about maintaining their property values and opposing all development in any form.

Who knows, making Neverland into a tourist trap might create a few jobs for the 90% of people in this area who don't own 30,000 acre ranches or $1.5M Santa Barbara homes.

Watching the locals in this area argue on Cable Access TV about petty issues relating to proposed developments along the Coastal and Mountain areas is really annoying. They even fight development in urban/suburban locations that have been developed previously.

[Katherine]

Welcome!I'm from Europe and I think that it's a wonderful idea, Neverland open for fans. Michael loved his house and this is only one place in the world when we can pay tribute Him. It would be also good for His Children and Los Olivos Valley (financial aspects). Unfortunately, crazy people ruined His house and took all stuffs, but Me and my Friens want to visit this place! I hope that Jacksons Family will do something in this case. Peace!