Marinapark public facilities not in danger

Stephen Sutherland

I would like to respond to Jenny Bioche’s letter on Friday (Readers

Respond, “A ballot before a Marinapark hotel”).

Over the past four years, I have been meeting with the directors

of the Community Services Department for the city of Newport Beach.

It has always been a priority of mine to not just retain the current

programs the city offers to our kids, but to improve these great

programs.

Bioche specifically mentioned the “Sailing and Tennis Camp.” This,

like all current programs, will continue to be offered from the site.

The only change is that the tennis courts will be newly built. They

will remain fully open to the public for our kids (including my own

young daughter) and adults alike.

In addition, a new Girl Scout House and community center will be

built at Las Arenas Park that will be modern and safe, with increased

on-site parking, and will offer many programs for kids and all

residents alike.

Contrary to Bioche’s concern that the Regent Resort would end

these programs, the director of community services said the number of

programs and the participation of our residents in these programs

will increase. I concur and fully support increased use of these

facilities by all residents.

Bioche’s letter also stated that hotel guests don’t pay taxes.

This is absolutely wrong.

As a part of the city’s general plan update, an economic analysis

has been completed comparing the “net tax revenue” the city of

Newport Beach receives from all land uses. Public open space, retail,

residential and hotel land uses were among those studied.

Residents will be surprised to learn that the highest “net tax

revenue” from any land use in Newport Beach is from our seven or

eight hotels and resorts. Net taxes from our seven or so hotels are

higher than the net revenue from all property tax combined.

In fact, if you take the “net tax revenue” from every retail store

in this city, including the big department stores, and add that to

the “net tax revenue” from every restaurant in this city, the

combined total is less than the “net tax revenue” the city receives

from these seven or so hotels.

Look at the total traffic generated by every store and restaurant

in the city. Compare that to the little traffic generated by these

few hotels. Once we realize the “net tax revenue” benefit to us is

higher from our few hotels, residents will start asking why the

Regent Newport Beach Resort is not already open.

In closing, I am certain that many Balboa Peninsula and West

Newport residents will wake up on a sunny morning and say, “Yes,

today we will walk down to the Regent Resort and have our morning

coffee or breakfast while enjoying the view of the bay from the

beautifully landscaped resort grounds.” Bioche and all residents will

always be welcomed.

I respect all concerns and comments and will try to reply to as

many comments from residents as possible.

* STEPHEN R. SUTHERLAND is a partner for Sutherland Talla

Hospitality and has lived in Newport Beach for 40 years.