Editorial

Balboa Performing Arts Theater proponents have some impressing to do.

Now that the city has agreed to toss in another $1.4 million into the

theater renovation project, there is going to be much greater calls to

ensure Newport Beach residents are getting their money’s worth.

The city’s investment will pay for the purchase of the Main Street

building, notably where the old Orange Julius restaurant now sits.

By making the purchase, the city will now hand over more control to

theater organizers to plan for things like dressing rooms and restrooms,

much needed facilities for what many are dreaming will be the prize of

the peninsula.

“When the arts come into an area, the area thrives,” said Councilman

Steve Bromberg, one of six who supported the plan. Only Councilman John

Heffernan dissented.

While we couldn’t agree with Bromberg more, Heffernan’s reasons for

dissent were not without merit.

The organizers of the theater have for years promised the community

that the opening curtain was drawing near, and for years they have been

forced to drastically change those predictions.

The main reason has been the failure to raise the needed cash to make

the theater happen.

So handing over more cash is worrisome to Heffernan, and frankly to us

too.

Thus our call to action. The theater organizers need to put

Heffernan’s and others’ fears to rest and ensure that the plans for this

performing arts venue move along at a fast clip.

We have every belief that will happen and look forward to the day we

can book front-row seats to what will be one of the best venues in town.