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Library, Festival of Arts and Playhouse appear in Laguna Beach master‑plan with accessibility and back‑of‑house needs
Summary
Consultants proposed three scales of renovation or expansion for the Laguna Beach Library and concept options for Festival of Arts, the Forum Theatre and the Playhouse that aim to improve accessibility, exhibit and rehearsal space, and backstage storage. Funding constraints and parking impacts were emphasized.
Consultants outlined conceptual options for arts, culture and library facilities in the facilities master‑plan workshop, focusing on preserving historic character while addressing space and accessibility shortfalls.
For the Laguna Beach Library, consultants described a light‑touch restorative option focused on interior reorganization and finishes, a modest infill that would add roughly 2,300 square feet by extending the main level into an existing courtyard, and a larger second‑floor infill that could reach the staff’s program target (about 15,500 square feet). Charlie Williams said the county transition funds available to the city would support limited restoration and that a larger expansion would require additional funding decisions.
At the Festival of Arts site, three approaches were presented: (A) keep the Forum Theatre and add accessible routes and a second‑floor 10,000‑square‑foot art center above current parking, (B) flip the art center to the ground level and place courts above it, or (C) new construction that consolidates studios, rehearsal and a 10,500‑square‑foot forum space while rethinking the visitor and exhibit flow. A consistent theme was the Forum Theatre’s limited accessible paths; several attendees noted an existing elevator path used by adjacent operators could be leveraged if upgraded.
For the Playhouse, consultants offered two expansion footprints that extend into the rear parking lot to provide rehearsal space, increased scene storage and improved back‑of‑house circulation. Consultants acknowledged that adding back‑of‑house space would reduce on‑site parking and that offsetting parking could be addressed in broader parking solutions presented elsewhere in the master plan.
Ending: Consultants asked arts organizations and library stakeholders to review concept sketches and to provide specifics about program needs; staff and consultants will include accessibility upgrades, estimated costs and financing options in the Phase 4 analysis.
