Bravo..Hail the new Port Theatre!

We are going to say our prayers.....and hope that virtually
everyone will support saving the facade of the Port Theatre!

Monday, August 20, 2007
Port Theatre in Newport may be spared
Interior of shuttered cinema would still become offices,
but façade would be preserved under new plans.
By JEFF OVERLEY
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

NEWPORT BEACH – The historic Port Theatre in Corona del Mar,
recently slated for demolition, would have its façade preserved
and be converted to an office building under new plans for the
half-century-old landmark.

While no formal plans have been submitted, city planners said
in a Friday memo that they had met with architects who want to
redesign, but largely maintain, the sleek, Art Moderne exterior.
The first floor of the theatre would be used for a 12-space
parking garage and reception area, while the second floor would
have 4,300 square feet of office space.

In the memo, architects are quoted as referring to the concept
as the "new Port."

The Port, which closed in 1998, was purchased earlier this year
by a company headed by microtechnology mogul Fariborz Maseeh.
A receptionist for Maseeh's company said Monday that officials
had no comment on the new plans.

In March, demolition permits were obtained from the city and
California Coastal Commission. City officials said at the time
that they had sought to convince the new owner to preserve the
façade, to no avail.

The apparent change of heart might have resulted in part from
modern building codes. Razing the structure would have required
even more new parking, a standard Planning Director David Lepo
called "pretty tough" to meet while still adding significant
office space to the property.

Lepo predicted that many longtime residents would cheer the new
plans. "There is a small but often vocal group that remembers
the Port) from the heydays, and they would like to see the theater
stay," he said. "In the absence of that, the physical presence
is important to them."

Contact the writer: 714-445-6683 or joverley@ocregister.com
-------------------------*Excellent...hopefully
members of our City Council, Homer and the whole crew at
City Hall will assist in the process..to save the facade!

The new owner of the property will certainly establish
themselves as friends of the community if they can pull
this off!