READERS RESPOND

I believe that Bill Ficker’s proposal for relocating City Hall is, at the very least, deserving of a modicum of consideration for the following reasons.

First and foremost, there is no shortage of open space and/or parks, some of which are hardly accessible. Back Bay View Park (the existing park at Jamboree and Coast Highway) is one that immediately comes to mind.

Notwithstanding the plethora of open spaces and thoroughfares that offers vistas of the bay and ocean (the boardwalk along the peninsula and Balboa Island are two of the most obvious), there are grassy knolls and picnic areas that are, for the most part, hardly used by residents and tourists alike. Nevermind the myriad “gated communities” that restrict access to public beaches and picnic areas, which hardly promotes a sense of community. It is those communities, moreover the elitist and self-aggrandizing attitudes of the developers and subsequent greedy homeowners, who have, in fact, robbed many of us of the very access to “views” and “open spaces” that people like Jan Vandersloot are so keen on protecting now. The question that begs to be asked is: Where was Vandersloot and his gang when the city ? more specifically, its elected representatives who were entrusted to preserve the “oasis” that Vandersloot is so concerned about ? when they compromised parcels of land in the “exchange” between the Irvine Co. and the city?

As a result of their shortsightedness, many of us unsuspecting homeowners are now left with the residue of such deals that compromised views and open spaces, not to mention the land and its integrity as well.

The sobering reality is this: The city needs another park like we need another “hearing” or the endless “environmental impact studies” that are nothing more than an exercise in futility and waste of our taxpayer dollars. What the residents of this city need and deserve is an accessible and functioning city hall.

However, before Ficker, or any other architect for that matter, begins drafting plans, I would strongly urge they address one issue that plagues some of the recent developments that the city’s planning commission have and continue to turn a blind eye to: the egregious lack of adequate ingress and egress to such developments, most specifically the neighboring Central Library and Corona del Mar Plaza, which share the one and only two-way driveway that services both facilities and has caused havoc for both drives and pedestrians alike.

It is people such as Vandersloot whose “over my dead body” attitude stands in the way of addressing the needs of the entire city and not a select few.

BETTE M. DOREMUS

Newport Beach

Avocado and Sailboat Way? Bill Ficker, local Newport hero, should be commended for thinking out of the box. However, he is so far out of the box that he could be in another state! No, no, no ? his idea is not totally without merit. But, anytime you say “free” to residents in Newport Beach you’ve got to know there is, will be, or are some serious strings attached. The Irvine Co. has to be licking its chops with the thought of 12 acres of dedicated open space being turned into hourly trips, possible high-rise buildings and huge additional parking facilities for their flagship center.

For the simple-minded among us: Ficker wants to “give us” a free city hall, which would be relocated to the more centralized Fashion Island. In exchange, we sell the current city hall property to ? who? For how much?

It might simply be a matter of altering the general plan and then reassigning part of the current parks element to reflect the change. Sounds almost clear and logical, doesn’t it? What about the location of the current fire station and headquarters? Do we move that to Fashion Island next to the other fire station? Perhaps expand the current police facility to include the present fire station and then move that plus add the new fire headquarters on the other side of Fashion Island, add some “open space” in front of the new “Fashion Island Fire Station” ? and voila?

Ficker doesn’t want the project to be “his” project but “the people’s project.” Yet, how many people did he confer with prior to coming up with this plan? Give us the list of supporters. It might well be revealing of the true concept makers and the mind-sets involved.

We don’t always agree with our “green” city partners, but in this case we do. Maybe we should just pay to fix and upgrade our current city hall facility location and get on down the road. After all, this is just another “brick-and-mortar project” and no America’s Cup!

RON and ANNA WINSHIP

Newport Beach

I would like to see the land behind the library used for a park.

BRENDA CURRY

Newport Beach

We suggested this location in Newport Center for a city hall in a letter you printed probably a year ago and still think this is the best location.

Bill Ficker has made some very strong points, suggestions and plans, and we support his ideas completely.

There is no need for a park at that location when it is an ideal place for city hall. Why not have the amphitheater and “oasis” at Castaways or Back Bay View Park?

We really need city hall more centrally located, and, most importantly, the command center for our city needs to be on high ground and more accessible in case of an emergency like a tsunami or an earthquake or any other disaster that could take place in this world of ours.

Sign us up to help convince the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council to expedite Bill Ficker’s suggestions.

FRAN and DUD PFAFF

Newport Beach

Get a new city hall done for free.

JAY G. THORNTON

Newport Beach

I think Bill Ficker’s choice of location for a new city hall is outstanding, sensible and would demonstrates good management of city funds, convenience for residents and a pleasant atmosphere. The Avocado site is centrally located in the city, near transportation facilities, next to the Newport Beach Main Library and the city’s major business center, Newport Center, with hotels, stores and offices.

Every park does not have to be a playground. A plan could be developed that incorporates a city hall with a landscape that could be state of the art, expertly and professionally designed, and horticulturally and aesthetically correct. (Large grassy areas require a lot of precious water and nitrogen fertilizer that finds its way to the sea).

A person visiting his own city hall could approach the day’s business with his city through a beautifully landscaped park-like setting with an ocean view. A park can be a place of brief respite enjoyed by working people during a break in a busy business day. Garden art, fountains and well-landscaped pathways around a well-functioning Newport Beach City Hall would be in my opinion good use of the already owned city land.

HELEN MAGRUDER

Newport Beach

This is the best plan I have seen for a new city hall.

First, it provides a more central location for Newport Beach residents that is out of the flood zone.

Secondly, the land could be paid for by the sale of the existing city hall site.

Third, there would be combined usage with a low-rise city hall for handling the business of our city while sitting in a park-like setting, allowing residents and staff to enjoy business and relaxation.

What an intelligent use of space and resources!

MARIANNE SCOTT

Newport Beach

Yes, yes to Bill Ficker’s city hall proposal from a variety of viewpoints, including that of fiscal responsibility.

As for the proposed park areas, we already have a “natural environmental” area at Back Bay View Park that gets practically no use.

Secondly, doesn’t everyone know by now that grass is out because of its ecologically unsound and greedy demands for fertilizer, water and upkeep?

As for the outside “performance” area, this can’t be too high on a great many priority lists.

Let’s go for Ficker’s plan and support him in any way possible. If Jan Vandersloot wants to fall on his sword, let him feel free to do so.

JANE LOWRY

Newport Beach