Laguna Beach to pursue Forum Theatre ADA upgrades; broader arts venue improvements to be discussed with Festival of Arts

Council members and public commenters urged immediate accessibility upgrades at the Forum Theatre and discussed broader improvements to support more performance and rehearsal space in Laguna Beach.

Public and consultant views

Public commenter Morris Skindarian said he had been working with the Forum Theatre on rehabilitation and ADA upgrades and urged the city to address accessibility and back-of-house needs to increase use: “ADA upgrades to the front, which also gives you access to the upper level dining area…there's some stage remodeling that needs to occur with some bathrooms and so forth,” he said.

Consultants proposed modest, accessibility-focused interventions — elevators, ramps and stair improvements — and estimated a cost in the $3–$4 million range to improve accessibility between the Forum and Irvine Bowl back-of-house connections. Staff emphasized that accessibility work should be paired with negotiated access policies so city funds improve shared public access rather than entrench restrictive use practices.

Council direction

Council members supported using available funds to complete ADA compliance as a near-term step and directed the Irvine Bowl policy committee to work with the Festival of Arts on scope and access conditions. Staff said the ADA improvements are a near-term item with funding available for accessibility work; longer-range interior or acoustic upgrades would require additional funding and agreement with the festival.

Next steps

The council asked the Irvine Bowl committee and festival leadership to develop an approach that (1) pursues the immediate ADA improvements, (2) defines access and rental policies tied to city funding, and (3) shapes a longer-term strategy for interior and acoustical improvements should the festival and community seek expanded investment.