Hope, Wilson Pass Up Celebration of Tentative Jordan Ranch Deal : Development: All concerned say an agreement to convert a huge chunk of the entertainer’s property to parkland is not in trouble.

Entertainer Bob Hope and Gov. Pete Wilson decided it was too early to celebrate, but the show went on without them.

Dozens of officials from Ventura and Los Angeles counties gathered with state and national park service representatives in Malibu on Wednesday to celebrate a complex land deal that would convert thousands of acres of Hope’s mountain property into public parkland.

But Hope and Wilson, both of whom had agreed to attend the ceremony at Solstice Canyon Park, failed to show up. At first, rumors circulated that the 88-year-old comedian had fallen ill.

However, Hope spokesman Ward Grant later said Hope felt that the celebration was premature. He said Hope was concerned that the land deal, which proposes that the massive Jordan and Ahmanson housing projects be combined on Ahmanson Ranch in eastern Ventura County, hasn’t officially been approved by the County Board of Supervisors. If approved, no development would occur on Hope’s 2,308-acre Jordan Ranch, which would be turned over to parks agencies.

“Don’t pop the cork quite yet,” Grant said. “We’re putting the cart before the horse just a little bit.”

Grant said Hope called the governor early Wednesday to tell him that he would not attend the ceremony. At that point, Wilson, whose security people had already made arrangements for him to be flown by helicopter into the park, decided not to attend.

Grant stressed that the land deal is not in jeopardy.

“Everything is still in place,” he said.

Wilson spokesman Franz Wisner confirmed the reason for the governor’s cancellation.

“The governor talked with Mr. Hope this morning,” he said. “The deal is not affected at all. Hope just wants to get an official approval by the Board of Supervisors before we have any celebrations.”

Although a majority of the board has said it supports the proposal to combine the Jordan and Ahmanson projects to make the parkland acquisition possible, the panel is not scheduled to vote on the matter until early next year.

On the condition that the combined projects are approved, Hope has agreed to sell 7,363 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills to parks agencies for a below-market $29.5 million.

In addition, not only would Potomac Investment Associates, which has been working with Hope, and the Ahmanson Land Co. cluster their developments, but Ahmanson would also donate another 3,025 acres for parkland.

Among the public officials who attended Wednesday’s ceremony to celebrate the land deal were Ventura County Supervisor Maria VanderKolk, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, Thousand Oaks Mayor Frank Schillo and Joseph T. Edmiston, executive director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, a state parks agency. Guests were treated to soft drinks, cold cuts and band music.

Edmiston told those who showed up that Hope and Wilson’s failure to appear “portends nothing ill toward the greatest and largest single park acquisition agreement in the last 30 years in California.”

He said, “It will happen. We’re going to make sure it happens.”

VanderKolk, who suggested to developers that the Jordan and Ahmanson projects be consolidated, said she is confident that the board will approve the developments.

During a brief speech, VanderKolk, who has staunchly opposed development on Hope’s Jordan Ranch, gave special thanks to Hope for helping to put the new land deal together.

“One of the hardest things for me has been to be at odds with a man I have loved, admired and respected since I was a child,” she said. “It’s so wonderful to be in agreement with him today.”