READERS RESPOND

Bill Ficker’s proposal for a relocated City Hall complex is an outstanding and creative contribution to this debate. What a splendid opportunity to redevelop and revitalize the Balboa Peninsula’s gateway, while at the same time “centralizing” and simplifying a new civic center.

The recent sale (and presumed eventual redevelopment) of Lido Marina Village, when coupled with the redevelopment of the existing City Hall site, would, in one stroke, change the whole complexion of the area. Couple it with implementation of the latest Marinapark open space development proposals being promoted by Protect Our Parks, and you have changed the face of the area in a significant and positive way. At the same time, the city’s truly usable open space would be increased in a useful way.

Throw in the fact that all of this could probably be accomplished at no net cost to the city, and it’s hard to argue against Ficker’s proposal. While I respect the environmentalists’ view, I think that when ignoring the Ficker proposal puts, in effect, a $100 million valuation (with interest) on the park-to-be above Newport Center, most of them would understand the need for compromise.

MAUREEN AHEARN

Newport Beach

Newport Beach should support diversity in its park designs and locations for all sorts of reasons. In a city of more than 80,000, not everyone looks at nature and its beauty through the same lens, nor do they all share the same needs for open-space use. We should have parks as varied as our residents and our topography. There is room enough in Newport for passive parks and active parks, green parks and natural parks. Some I’ll like, and some you’ll like.

So let’s not get lost in what we “should have done” or “could have done” with parks that already exist. Instead, our energy should be focused on asking the city officials why, once again, they will renege on their promise to use an Irvine Co. gift of open space to construct buildings and parking structures.

They made that promise in 1992, when the land was donated to the people of Newport Beach by the Irvine Co. They made that promise as recently as December 2005, when the City Council voted, 6-1, to take that parcel off the civic center site location list as a result of public outpouring in support of the park.

And now our city officials want to break their promise again and commandeer this 12-acre gift for their benefit, turning a deaf ear once more to the public outpouring in support of the park and open space plan.

I don’t take issue with having a nice facility in which to work. I don’t take issue with paying for costs to construct and maintain that facility if mandated by the public. I do take issue with city officials taking what is not rightfully theirs to take time and time again.

Perhaps Edwards Big Newport can open a double feature in July: “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Pirates of the California Riviera.”

JOHN REILLY and KAREN TRINGALI

Corona del Mar

Saving greenbacks beats going into the red!

Thank you, Bill Ficker ? architect extraordinaire, sailing champion and thoughtful community leader ? for the winning city hall proposal on Avocado Avenue next to the library. We were quite shocked when this location was eliminated early on in the discussion. And just recently, when the Irvine Co. refused the sale of their land, we were told the old peninsula location will have to do.

Another park ? that is insane. We have lush parks and quaint petite parks tucked away all around the city. Here’s a prime example of park insanity: Our new Bay View Park at the intersection of Jamboree and East Coast Highway is referred to by most as Weed Park! It is not accessible or user-friendly. Someone was sold a bill of goods that the new “seniors living below” would flock to it. They can’t climb the mountain behind it let alone wheel one another up the steep sidewalks that surround it.

Jan Vandersloot, have you forgotten about the miles and miles of sandy parks, some with grass facing the mighty Pacific and Newport Harbor, open to the public called “beaches”?

As much as we love the convenience of City Hall just down the way from our home, face it ? the hub of Newport Beach has changed, and the Avocado location is much more central. We suggested the Avocado location (in the Nov. 25, 2005, Daily Pilot), and at the top of our list of reasons was its being on high ground. Our concern for a higher-ground location was the threat of a disaster ? tsunami, flood and the like. The present location as the hub of communication during a disaster would be lost.

We have not seen Ficker’s architectural plans, but we would consider a portion, if not all, of the new city hall to be classic in design so its character will last another 100 years. Please no spaceship or waves of cold glass and metal!

Last, but not least, guess where Costa Mesa’s new library is planned. Yes ? a lush, grassy park next to Costa Mesa City Hall on Fair Drive. Good thinking, Costa Mesa!

GAY WASSALL-KELLY

and BILL KELLY

Balboa Peninsula