Discussion on arts center inches forward

Stacy Brown

NEWPORT BEACH -- A subcommittee attempting to draft a solid proposal

Tuesday for an arts and education center found there are 12 million

reasons why the center will not be built in a day.

After reviewing six proposals -- ranging from having the city’s Arts

Foundation raise the money and run the center to public financing of the

project -- Arts Foundation Chairman Howard Herzog engaged in a verbal

squabble with Library Board Trustee Patrick Bartolic as to which option

he felt should be presented to city officials.

“For me, it would have to be (one involving the foundation), or I

would suggest that the Arts Foundation withdraw from the committee and

fund our own plan,” said a frustrated Herzog during the meeting at the

Central Library. “That’s what I would do and recommend that the Library

Board do the same.”

The cost of building the 22,000-square-foot center is estimated at $12

million.

Another plan discussed in the subcommittee -- which, in addition to

Bartolic and Herzog, includes Arts Commission members Roberta Jorgensen

and Catherine Michaels -- was one calling for the creation of a nonprofit

organization, with members drawn from the Arts Commission, Library Board

and the public, to operate the center.

Another option involving private funding would also allow the city to

operate the center by appointing a board of trustees made up of city

staff.

What did appear clear was that the project will probably not be built

with public funds.

“Of course, (the publicly funded option) is the least-viable option,”

Michaels said.

Financing has been the central issue for the ad-hoc committee since

the news hit that a center was under consideration for the site behind

the library. No matter where the money comes from, Bartolic said, the

city will be involved because the land where the center would be built is

owned by the city.

Before the meeting, Michaels said appointing a spokesperson had become

necessary to cut down on the differing opinions that have surfaced during

the past week.

Library Board Chairman Jim Wood said either Jorgensen or he would be

appointed as the spokesperson.

Wood said also that it’s important that the committee, City Council

and local residents understand that the center would be a place for

programs relating to the arts and other community activities.