Don’t rush to judge theater

Whether the Port Theater in Corona del Mar constitutes a

historical landmark is a good question. For his part, new Councilman

Dick Nichols has done a lot to stir the debate with his proclamation

that not only should the old movie house not receive landmark status,

it should be torn down.

Well, that’s an interesting thought, and either way, the issue has

touched off a flurry of letters and calls, some agreeing with Nichols

and others arguing for the preservation of the theater.

The only voice missing so far is the owner of the Port Theater.

What the owner of the Port wants to do should really be part of the

discussion before the debate gets any hotter, but that’s not going to

stop us from putting in our two cents.

So here it goes:

Is the Port an old and funky art theater that is a nice addition

to Corona del Mar? Of course it is. But there are lots of old and

funky art theaters that have gone under bulldozers. No one is the

wiser, and not everyone really misses them.

Take the old Mesa Theater on Newport Boulevard. If you don’t know

what we are talking about, that’s because the Mesa no longer exists.

It is now the home of a thriving Borders Books and Cafe.

But the Mesa didn’t go quietly. There was much uproar over its

pending demise and some last-minute pitches to save it from the

wrecking ball. But in the end, progress won out, and the Mesa, an

old, dog-eared building with a peeled-paint facade, went the way of

penny arcades and drive-in theaters.

Should a similar fate be met by the Port?

Well, we certainly aren’t prepared to say that. But we also aren’t

so sure that it has reached a level of historical significance,

either, and that it should be saved in perpetuity, especially if the

owner has different plans.

The Port is one of three historic buildings the city is trying to

preserve as landmarks.

Separately, the city has two other historic theaters, the Balboa

Theater on the peninsula and the old Edward’s Lido, that will most

likely remain as historic landmarks for a long time.

As one of the oldest movie houses in the county, the Lido should

no doubt be spared from destruction, and the Balboa Theater is soon

to be a performing arts center, which will ensure its existence for

years to come.

The Port, while not without its historic value, doesn’t quite meet

the same criteria.

So let’s keep the debate going. Maybe two historic theaters are

enough for Newport Beach. Maybe not.

No matter what, the city and the property’s owner need to work

together to ensure that whatever becomes of that site, it will not

continue to be a vacant eyesore and will always remain compatible

with the surrounding Corona del Mar village atmosphere. That should

be the priority.