Editorial

Flush with prosperity after the longest economic expansion in history,

the residents of Newport Beach, one year ago, were like much of the

nation -- sated and content enough to say it was time to put the brakes

to unbridled growth.

And that they did, coming out in droves to say “no more.”

No more growth, no more traffic, no more development.

The message was heard loud and clear, and Greenlight, the measure that

requires voter approval for projects that exceed general plan guidelines,

became the law of the land.

One year later, Greenlight is ready for its first test with Measure G

-- a ballot-box initiative that would allow for the expansion of the Koll

office center off Jamboree Road and MacArthur Boulevard.

Only this time, the economic and political landscape is much

different. Soon after November 2000, the economy began a slow slide

toward stagnation that turned into a full-speed tumble after the

terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Thousands upon thousands of jobs have been lost. The once hotly

spinning economic engine cooled down to a near standstill. All at the

same time, the nation has been thrust into a war on terrorism, both at

home and abroad.

So, we ask, has the time come to embrace those things that help the

economy, that spur growth and prosperity once again?

Enter developer Tim Strader and his plans to expand the Koll Center by

250,000 square feet of office space that would include a 10-story office

tower and two parking structures. The Greenlight forces have attacked the

plan as bad for the city’s quality of life. They believe it will increase

traffic on Newport Beach streets, that it will not create jobs for

Newport Beach residents, and that it is being done just as the city is

preparing to overhaul its entire general plan guidelines.

Most of all, they accuse Koll developers of trying to deceive voters

by using the Greenlight name in campaign literature.

On that final point, we have to agree. The developer should have

stayed far away from the name “Greenlight” to avoid any confusion on the

part of voters. We detest those forms of deception and believe the

developer made a tactical error by employing those methods instead of

just focusing on the project’s benefits.

Which brings us to our next question: Is the Koll expansion good not

only for the city of Newport Beach, but good for Newport’s neighbors and

good for the health of the county and regional economy as a whole?

We believe, the answer is yes.

The Koll expansion itself could employ some 300 people just in the

construction alone. The office complex plans could house 800 workers when

complete.

While Greenlight forces claim those workers would be low-end wage

earners who probably would not live in Newport Beach, that simply is not

the case, nor is it relevant.

Surrounding offices are filled with engineers, accountants and

attorneys, all professions in which many in Newport Beach work. There’s

nothing to say the expansion wouldn’t be filled with the same level of

worker.

Additionally, those wage earners shop in Newport Beach stores and dine

in the city’s restaurants, contributing mightily to the local economy.

The Greenlight claims that the expansion would clog intersections with

a 2,700-car trip increase is also misleading. A study done by the city

showed that of those trips, only 10% would travel through Newport Beach

streets, an increase of roughly 300 cars.

And forcing Koll to wait three to four years for a new general plan is

also unfair, considering the project plans were submitted to the city in

1997.

Whether the city coffers will benefit substantially or be hurt by this

project is debatable and, of course, tough to prove one way or another.

But Koll has already promised $3 million to improve traffic congestion

and $60,000 to go toward the city’s new fire station.

What convinces us most of all is the proximity of this project to the

John Wayne Airport and similar office-type buildings. There is nothing in

this project that would lead us to believe that preservation of Newport

Beach as a “unique environmental treasure” as Greenlight leader Phil Arst

put it, would be in jeopardy.

If it were, or if this project were on Mariners Mile, in Corona del

Mar or anywhere else that epitomizes the beauty and solitude that is

Newport Beach, we would lead the charge against it.

But we do not believe it is. Instead, we believe in this time of

economic uncertainty and increased anxiety over jobs, the expansion of

the Koll Center is the right prescription for these difficult times.

We urge you to vote in favor of Measure G on Nov. 20.