Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch: What's in Store?

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July 1st 182/365 . . . The front gate at Neverland Ranch

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As thousands throng to Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch in California's Santa Barbara County, many are wondering what will become of the famous home.

Plans for a public memorial on the site have been abandoned, as has a plan for the ranch – now owned by Sycamore Valley Ranch Company, LLC after Jackson left the land in 2008 following his second child molestation charge – to be his final resting place.

A public memorial will instead be held at the Los Angeles Staples Center on Tuesday.

But as thousands descend on the property, it's been made clear that the former residency of the King of Pop is synonymous with the man itself – and a permanent memorial is only logical.

So what should they do with it?

Well:

Public Museum: This would be similar to Elvis's Graceland, and given the fame surrounding the property, this is the most obvious idea. However, unlike Graceland, California law prevents the pop singer from being buried on the property. Instead, it could serve as a public gallery dedicated to his life and career.

Amusement Park: The ranch had, at one time, housed a zoo, two railroads, a ferris wheel, a carousel, zipper, octopus and a kiddie roller coaster (among others!). The concrete slabs from where they were installed – before they were repossessed in 2008 – are still present on the land, so the infrastructure is already there. Given that California is a haven for amusement parks, a Neverland attraction could fit in nicely.

National Park: The property was at one time called Sycamore Valley Ranch, a quiet piece of the California landscape. Turning the property into a national park dedicated to MJ would mean clearing the land of Neverland's constructions and restoring it to its original pastoral state.

Children's Hospital and Research Center: Michael Jackson was always about the children – and no, not in the perverted sense. In the publicity campaign for his series of shows in London, Jackson stated that his comeback was for "his children and the children of the world."

Concert Venue: Jackson was, before all else, an entertainer. Given the size and sprawl of the property, it could be turned into a concert venue to hold large concerts and festivals. There could be a camp sight and, for those willing to dish out the cash, hotel-style suites in the 13,000-square-foot Jackson home, the four-apartment "Elizabeth Taylor" house (where the actress stayed on visits to the ranch) and the various other buildings that housed staff and guests during Jackson's residency.