City attorney: Arts center request should be denied

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- The city attorney has recommended the City Council

reject a request for land near the Newport Beach Public Library for a

proposed Arts and Education Center.

Bob Burnham instead suggested that two council members, a Parks, Beaches

and Recreation Commission member and center proponents form an ad-hoc

committee to explore whether surrounding residents would support the

idea. Findings would be reported to the City Council.

Burnham could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Supporters of the project to turn the library site into the cultural

center of the city made an impassioned plea at the last council meeting

for city officials to let them begin moving forward with the proposal.

Proponents said the council had not taken their project seriously,

continually tabling the issue.

Although the 3.5-acre site was not reserved, arts and education center

committee co-chairman Don Gregory said he was elated by the

recommendation.

“I’m happy. I feel like we’ve made a step forward,” Gregory said, adding

that hopefully everyone will be comfortable with Burnham’s

recommendation.

The project is for a 22,000-square-foot facility with an auditorium,

hall, public gallery and classroom. Parking would be provided by a

460-space structure with a landscaped roof and pedestrian bridge to the

central library.

Construction of the center would be funded through contributions by the

Arts Foundation and a fund-raising event has been scheduled for August.

The suggestion to set aside a portion of the 12 acres of open space

sparked significant controversy with other special-interest groups in the

community, who have their own ideas for the site, including a passive

park and low-cost senior housing.

The site is currently designated as open space, as part of an agreement

between the city and the Irvine Co. Because of this, the project’s

proponents do have a long and complex road ahead if they hope to get

permission for the council to consider the project.

FYI

* What: City Council meeting

* When: 6 p.m. Tuesday

* Where: City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.