Small Newport Museum Seeks New Quarters
A plan to move the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum from its Balboa Boulevard headquarters to a former restaurant site on a riverboat across the harbor will be considered today 4 by the Planning Commission.
The museum has been showing nautical memorabilia and documents in its small quarters--about 1,500 square feet--at 1714 Balboa Blvd. for 11 years, museum President Art Gronsky said.
But moving to the former Reuben E. Lee, moored off Coast Highway near Linda Isle, will give the museum about 10 times more space as well as added financial opportunities.
Plans include 5,000 square feet of exhibit space and a 2,500-square-foot research library and office area, as well as a 2,600-square-foot cafe, a gift shop and restrooms.
Museum directors are seeking permission to operate the cafe from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. year round, and the museum from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily during the summer, and Wednesday through Saturday in winter months.
“We’ve had a longtime dream of getting a permanent headquarters,” Gronsky said. “This particular spot we started striving for about six months ago. It came up kind of suddenly.”
The request also includes special permission for the new museum to cater special events and private parties that might run to later hours.
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