Future looks bright for Port Theatre

A month ago, we wrote concerning the Port Theatre debate: “The only

voice missing so far is the owner of the Port Theatre. 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.”

Since then, the owner has come forward.

But, to just about everyone’s surprise, it was not the owner

people expected to see. It turns out that longtime Port proprietor

Scott Burnham had quietly sold the theater 18 months ago to Corona

del Mar resident Rick Aversano, a patron of the arts scene in Laguna

Beach.

The good news in this unexpected turn of events is that Aversano

has a laudable plan in mind for the old theater, if -- and it is a

big if -- the Newport Beach City Council approves a landmark theater

ordinance that would allow significant changes to the theater.

As part of Aversano’s vision, the Port would lose a majority of

its seating, but would gain a restaurant, bar and coffee shop in a

significant restoration of the Art Deco facade. The work, which could

cost as much as $3 million, would turn the Port from an eyesore to a

magnet that would draw more people, and thus more business, to the

community.

Of course, all those people will require places to put their cars.

City leaders have recognized this, and a parking plan would be part

of the theater’s renovation.

The trouble is, none of the work will happen if the city does not

approve the landmark theater ordinance. Last week, the council again

postponed discussion of the ordinance, which now is on the March 25

agenda.

The council should take that vote, and it should approve the

ordinance, which will allow not only improvements to be made at the

Port, but at the Lido Cinema, the Balboa Theater and the Balboa

Pavilion.

Then, once improvement is possible, the real debate about what, if

any changes, should be made can begin.