BEATLES MUSEUM: Giuliano pulls plug on Lockport venture

By Anne Calos / calosa@gnnewspaper.com

Saying that he’s been “genuinely hurt” by the negative reaction to his proposed Beatles museum, author Geoffrey Giuliano is “pulling the plug” on plans to locate the museum at the house at 735 Market St. At least for now.

Since Giuliano’s proposal to turn the property into a museum, reaction from city officials, as well as the public in the form of letters to the editor and the Union-Sun & Journal’s message board at www.lockportjournal.com, have been largely against the project.

“We have gotten a very unsympathetic, unfriendly and unenthusiastic reception from the townspeople and the mayor. Life is too short. They just don’t get it. This could be the jewel of the canal. Now I remember all the reasons I left Lockport,” Giuliano said in a telephone interview.

In mid-July, Giuliano, who has lived in Thailand for the past several years, offered to fill the large vacant Victorian home on Market Street, which is owned by the Sri Rahde International organization, with what he estimates is about $5 million of Beatles memorabilia that he has collected over the years. In return, SRI would ask the city to grant a permanent variance on the residential-only zoning of the property, secure tax exempt status for the property as long as it’s a museum, forgive unpaid 2006 property taxes, supply basic yard maintenance, assist in the search for grants, low-cost loans and “other financial considerations” to launch the project, provide advice on marketing and land-use planning and aid in security. The group would also seek community volunteers to create and maintain a “peace garden” and help out with the museum. Private investors, corporate sponsors and free legal assistance would be needed as well.

Giuliano, 52, has a long history with the city. He has been cited for numerous housing violations, unpaid taxes, water and sewer bills and the police had to seize two roaming cows from the property that Giuliano said were allowed in the city because of his Hindu beliefs. He is the author of dozens of books, primarily about the Beatles and other 1960s-era rock musicians, has been in movies, is a published singer-songwriter and is the producer and host of a series of two-hour radio documentaries.

He converted to Hinduism and for a time was known as Jagannatha Dasa Puripada, turned the home at 735 Market St. into a 501(c)3 corporation to promote and support Hinduism and in 2000, moved to Thailand. Since that time, the property has fallen into disrepair. Up until recently, about $25,000 in back taxes was owed on the home, but Giuliano said SRI has made a $12,000 payment.

Giuliano said he has the Beatles merchandise in crates and ready to ship, and he would still like to locate the museum somewhere.

“There is no Beatles museum located in the U.S., but mark my words, there will be. I’ve been considering putting it in Haight-Ashbury (in San Francisco) or Niagara Falls. They seem very welcoming,” Giuliano said.

Still, Giuliano says he would still consider making Lockport the site if opinion turns around.

“We’re feeling a little discouraged right now. If there’s anyone who would like to see it, we’d like to hear from them. We’re still open to the possibility. This is just how we’re feeling at the moment,” Giuliano said.

If the museum doesn’t materialize, Giuliano said SRI will keep the property up as well as possible.

“The immediate plan is to be as good a neighbor as we can be with the small amount of money we have. We’ll try to continue to work with the city and keep the house up as best we can. We plan to pay off the rest of the back property taxes and secure the property as best we can,” Giuliano said.

Mayor Michael Tucker, who has been against Giuliano’s proposal from the beginning, said Giuliano’s announcement means nothing to him.

“The fact that he’s going to pull the plug is fine with me. I never believed in the project to begin with. Maybe if he has a lot of Beatles memorabilia, he should sell some and pay his property taxes,” Tucker said.