Plans to level village leave readers split

I am very opposed to the developers demolishing the shops,

restaurants, etc. to build a luxury hotel and condominiums.

We don’t need any more developments here. We still have the

Cannery Lofts, which are taking forever to build and look quite ugly

to boot. Please tell the developers to take their project somewhere

else.

JEFF DOWDEN

Newport Beach

For a city with no “downtown,” or other such convivial meeting

place (aside from Fashion Island), to relinquish our pleasant little

Lido Marina Village to developers -- with eyes on the tourist dollars

-- is ceding a part of our identity.

Haven’t we done quite enough of that? Maybe the village could use

a tad of sprucing up, but it need not be reinvented. Can’t we choose

“friendly” over “glitzy” once in a while?

Oh, sorry; “upscale” is the adjective of choice by Carol Hoffman,

representative of the developers, though what I think she means is

pricier -- to gouge locals.

Besides, why in the name of all reason do we need another hotel?

Is this city in existence for strangers to wander through, or for its

citizens (some much longer-term than I am and I’ve lived here for 28

years) to enjoy the fine, friendly lifestyle it affords us?

PAULA HUNTER

Newport Beach

As a resident of one of Newport’s quaint villages -- Balboa -- I

would like to express my excitement at the thought of Lido Village

being updated. For years, I have enjoyed the various restaurants and

shops at Lido. But over time, the buildings have become dated.

Restoring the vitality and life into Lido Marina Village, by

bringing more bay front visibility, will allow more residents, and in

particular us thirtysomethings, a vital, yet quaint, location to

spend time. Let’s update a very tired place to allow many years of

enjoyment for the current and future generations of Newport Beach.

TRACY ENGELEITER

Balboa Island

I oppose the village being torn down.

CAROL LAFOND

Newport Beach

We are 40-year residents of the Balboa Peninsula. What a shame if

the JC Partners are allowed to tear down one of the last remaining,

great bay front places in Newport. A place where you can still get a

great dinner for under $15, a great outfit at a reasonable price, a

cup of coffee on the bay front and everyone has access to the boats.

Newport doesn’t need another half-empty hotel and $1000-plus per

night rentals, nor does it need to become a Miami Beach. The City

Council doesn’t seem to understand the allure of the old charm of the

Newport Peninsula. Take a look at the new, hideous, Cannery Village,

or what’s been done to downtown Balboa, all in the name of

“improvement.”

The city has got “expensive” and “hoity-toity” in Fashion Island

and Newport Coast -- leave us alone to be “charming” and “beachy” in

Lido Marina Village and the peninsula.

GEORGIA MAHONEY

Newport Beach

I think it’s an appalling idea. That area has been a very pleasant

place to go, eat dinner, walk around and look at the shops for a long

time. And I think a lot of people in this city would be furious to

see anything happen to that area.

I mean, I don’t mind a minor tinkering around with one or two of

the buildings but putting in time shares and hotels and condos is

absolutely revolting. I hope that the City Council doesn’t even think

about it. If they do they should all be tossed out on their bums.

LENARD DAVIS

Newport Beach

Lido Marina Village should definitely be revamped or replaced.

Preferably replaced.

GAIL ROSENSTEIN

Newport Beach

I am concerned about the amount of land-use changes proposed in

the planned development of the Lido and peninsula areas. Efforts are

underway to replace tennis courts, a scout house and an affordable

mobile home park on the peninsula for a luxury hotel and resort. Now

we are faced with losing the boutiques shops and eateries of a

village type area for 75 upscale hotel rooms and time-share condos.

Would we be watching a unique and accessible part of Newport Beach

become an exclusive and limited access area for the privileged? I

love Newport Beach’s colorful history and its ability to make a place

for a variety of residents -- as well as its ability to be a gracious

host to a variety of visitors. It makes me sad to see that slowly

disappearing, with Newport becoming a revenue-chasing, image-focused

city. We can’t forget what we were in our efforts to see where we are

going.

MARIANNE SCOTT

Newport Beach

Razing Lido Marina Village for a hotel and condos, is possibly the

worst idea I’ve ever heard. What a horrible mistake it would be.

Please tell me it can’t happen.

ANN MERRITT

Corona del Mar

The Lido Marina Village should not be replaced with some gigantic

development. It should be a joint-use of residential and commercial.

And any use of eminent domain for that purpose would be an outrage.

RON AND ANNA WINSHIP

Newport Beach

I think this idea of replacing Lido Marina Village is a very poor

one. It’s a charming little village with lots of little merchants and

it adds a lot to our whole neighborhood. This idea of putting a

75-room hotel in there, I think, is a very bad idea.

MARGARET HEIMER

Newport Beach

I lived happily in Newport Beach for 17 years and in the last few

years. I have lived one block outside of Newport Beach, namely Santa

Ana Heights. Because of my own personal feelings I must say please,

please, please do not replace Lido Marina Village. If a little

revamping can be done, or sprucing up as each individual party might

wish, that would be great.

It is a little treasure there. It has helped Newport Beach. It has

become a very special place compared to similar types of marinas the

world over. So don’t let a little treasure go just for a measly

luxury hotel and, heaven forbid, timeshares. It would be a drastic

mistake.

MILENA THOMPSON

Santa Ana Heights

I disagree with the idea totally and completely.

TONI KLEIN

Newport Beach

The village could stand to be revamped but replaced? This is just

like a developer. They put the most obnoxious things they can as

close to the water as they can. They always want hotel and

time-shares. Those are big money makers for people.

You might want to look at the Redondo Beach redevelopment area and

all the citizens who got very upset about it. They put an end to it.

It was in 2002 or 2003 and developers there had planned to go and

wipe out the nice seashore and put in a lot of big obnoxious

buildings.

It kind of looks like that’s what the developers would like to do

at the Lido Marina Village. Revamping is a nice idea, replacing is

really not a good idea.

JUDY CAPPELLO

Newport Beach

I am in favor of Lido Marina Village being revamped or replaced.

And what I would suggest is appropriate, is residential condominiums

and a marina area there. That, as opposed to the hotel that was

described in a recent article.

PAUL CHRIST

Newport Beach

I am totally, 100% against replacing the village. Now, as far as

revamping it, I would have to hear about what they had in mind. It’s

just so awful here to have to replace everything with a big

development. And we don’t need another hotel that’s for sure.

You’ve got to keep the charm. There has always been some charm,

especially on the peninsula. And you know the Balboa Main Street plan

was such an awful thing when that happened. If everything is the

same, sameness everywhere buildings, buildings, and buildings this

gets to be extremely monotonous and not a hometown atmosphere. I like

to think of us as a town. And of you keep taking all the nice things

and the charm away from it, it ceases to be that.

BERNA GAGNE

Newport Beach