Nichols wants limits on old Port Theater

June Casagrande

Though Dick Nichols can’t vote on an upcoming council item to

designate three theaters as landmarks, the Corona del Mar councilman

is launching a public opinion campaign to limit the uses of the Port

Theater.

The City Council will soon consider whether to designate the Port,

Lido and Balboa theaters as “landmark theaters” to allow slightly

expanded uses of the properties.

But Nichols thinks that the Port Theater should be excluded

because its proximity to residences and its out-of-date parking could

make it a nuisance.

“It’s not like the others. It’s very close to residential,”

Nichols said, adding that the changes to the area since it was built

in 1940s have rendered the 900-seat theater incompatible with the

neighborhood.

“I think they should tear it down,” he said.

Conflict of interest rules prohibit Nichols from voting on the

matter as a councilman because he lives fewer than 500 feet from the

Port Theater. The council will soon consider whether to designate the

three historical buildings as “landmark theaters.” The designation

would allow the three to conduct other activities at the sites

without obtaining new permits, including using up to 25% of their

floor space for live entertainment, running arcade-type entertainment

and having food and beverage services. But they could only do so if

the activities did not increase the demands for parking allowed in

their current permits.

The Planning Commission recommended the move, but the council gets

the final say.

Nichols has been talking to his neighbors and circulating a letter

to city staff and council members to keep current limitations on the

Port Theater.

Mayor Steve Bromberg said he disagrees that the Port should be

torn down.

“It’s a pre-1950 building that has somewhat of an art deco

contemporary facade. You don’t see those anymore,” Bromberg said. “I

think that if that style were refurbished and that retro style were

maintained, it clearly would be a nice landmark building for Newport

Beach and especially Corona del Mar.”

Port Theater owners have not yet announced their plans for the

building, which closed in August 1998.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.

She may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].