The Region : Marineland to Be Resold

Citing negative publicity, the company that bought and closed Marineland said it will sell the 100 acres of prime oceanfront property. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich attorney Jerold Miles said the decision was based primarily on the “bad reaction” that followed its purchase and closure of the Rancho Palos Verdes oceanarium. The company believes there is “no way the city would look upon them favorably as an acceptable developer of the property,” he said. Orlando, Fla.-based Harcourt bought the park in December for $23.4 million and closed it after determining that more than $25 million in improvements would have been needed at the 33-year-old facility. Marineland supporters denounced Harcourt’s decision, and some have picketed outside the park. Rancho Palos Verdes city officials have also been critical. “Its true to form,” City Councilwoman Jacki Bacharach said of Harcourt’s decision to sell. “Last week they told us they weren’t selling the land, so we should have known they were selling. . . . They could have gotten a fair shake if they had given the city a fair shake.”