Landmarks have place in our lives

Out with the old and in with the new.

That’s becoming the story of Newport Beach.

Remember The Pride of Newport, a regal fixture in the harbor? So long.

Remember Robins Hall, the landmark tower at Newport Harbor High School? It’s being demolished.

The Arches? Closed (though the owner has opened a new restaurant).

This is not necessarily a bad thing. Time passes. Old structures are replaced by new ones, especially in this neck of the woods, which isn’t exactly London or Paris or Rome, and we’re glad for that.

For the most part, Newport Beach looks, rather than old and historical, fresh and new. It’s quintessential Southern California, a destination place.

But the city also has a rich history, and it’s nice to see some remnants of it.

Which brings us to the Port Theater in Corona del Mar.

Destined for the wrecking ball a few months ago, the Port just might be saved. The city is in discussions with architects who plan to convert the 57-year-old theater into an office building.

Last week, officials from the city Planning Department met with members of Laidlaw Schultz Architects to discuss renovating the theater that closed nine years ago. The building’s new owner, Pand Realty LLC, is interested in maintaining the Port as a visual landmark along Pacific Coast Highway.

“It is a very prominent architectural feature of Corona del Mar,” said City Manager Homer Bludau. “There are many memories associated of families going to the theater, of kids going to the theater. It tugs on the heartstrings for a lot of people.”

We applaud the efforts of Pand and the city to save the Port.

And we believe the old and the new can and should co-exist, when appropriate.

Sometimes, we need reminders of the past. Sometimes, it takes a landmark to find one’s way along the road of life, and into the future.