Sounding Board -- Art Stanlow

On my way to Santa Monica and back recently, I got my first two

unexpected looks ever of an Ikea furniture store.

It was easily seen from the San Diego Freeway in the Carson area, even

though it was two blocks away or more from the freeway. A big sign --

easily readable -- told the world that it had just been remodeled. I

don’t know why they felt the need for remodeling, but the result (which

obviously they were proud of) that I saw from about four football fields

away was a loud, garish blue and yellow affair that looked more like

something that belonged in an amusement park.

If anything, the Segerstrom family has presented the city of Costa

Mesa and its environs with a tasteful, sometimes exciting, even dramatic,

set of architectural edifices. Occasionally, their efforts have warmed

the heart of the writer, a longtime restaurant designer whose work has

taken place at least twice on Segerstrom property (the family “spread”

encompasses more than the obvious parts). The unexpected views in places

-- such as the one you see from the South Coast Plaza side of Bristol

Street, contemplating that stunningly beautiful footbridge that leads to

those dramatic high rises with lush landscaping surrounding them on the

other side -- it’s a must-see at twilight, and it should be captured on a

postcard so the world can enjoy it too, vicariously.

Honestly, I cannot imagine that people with the refined cultural sense

of the Segerstroms would, for even a moment, consider polluting their

fine work -- so far -- with that jarring monstrosity. It just doesn’t

belong -- like an Andy Warhol alongside a Renoir or a Van Gogh.

What’s more, regardless of the smug satisfaction displayed by the

“experts” on the Planning Commission that all will be well if the project

goes through as is, the ugly gander will dominate the environment at

Harbor Boulevard where the regular mammoth 5 o’clock daily freeway

traffic jam enjoys itself bumper-to-bumper immediately adjacent to it.

Approving this is as silly as betting all the money you won on the

lottery because you’re “on a roll.”

Please, please, say it isn’t so. Costa Mesa residents, City Council,

Segerstrom & Sons: Please take a drive on the San Diego Freeway, as I

did, past Carson, and back -- then let the Daily Pilot know your thoughts

and feelings about putting an Ikea in our frontyard.

* ART STANLOW is a Costa Mesa resident.