City hammers out contract to protect Noguchi sculptures

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- The City of the Arts has won a long-standingbattle to

protect one of its cultural treasures.

Council members approved an agreement Monday that will finally allow

the renovation of Town Center while still guaranteeing long-term

protection of the Isamu Noguchi California Scenario that sits in the

middle of the business area.

The contract approved between the Segerstroms and Life of Denver

Insurance Co. -- the lenders for the project -- gives the Segerstroms

permission to enter into a development agreement with the city. The

development agreement includes a special land-use restriction that

protects Noguchi’s artwork.

The project is a collaboration between South Coast Plaza, the Orange

County Performing Arts Center and the Commonwealth Partners LLC. The

proposal includes a pedestrian-oriented cultural arts district bordered

by Bristol Street, Sunflower Avenue, Avenue of the Arts and the San Diego

Freeway.

The 54-acre project has been in the works for months and was postponed

because of a long-standing dispute over the preservation of the

sculptures at Town Center. The developer argued keeping the garden in its

current state in perpetuity could interfere with renovations. The city

said the sculptures could not be altered whatsoever. The surrounding

buildings were part of Noguchi’s artistic vision, the city claimed.

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 lolita.harper@latimes.comf7 .