Lexus dealer gives $100,000 to city

Newport Lexus presented city officials with a $100,000 check for the

Newport Beach centennial celebration at a ground-breaking ceremony

Wednesday at the dealership’s site on MacArthur Boulevard, where it’s

scheduled to open in late 2006.

“This is a very generous gift to our centennial,” Mayor John

Heffernan said, standing in front of a backdrop of construction

trucks decorated with balloons.

In announcing the dealership’s contribution to the centennial,

owner David Wilson assured the crowd that Newport Lexus will be

involved in the community.

“We don’t say no in our city,” Wilson said. “We help everybody we

can in our city.”

Lexus is now a major sponsor of a yearlong celebration of the

city’s 100th birthday. The first event, a kickoff party featuring the

Beach Boys, will be held Oct. 2. at Newport Dunes.

The city has raised a total of $500,000 toward a goal of $1.1

million for centennial festivities, said Councilman Don Webb.

“You really only have the opportunity to celebrate a centennial

once in a lifetime,” Webb said.

Wilson and business partner A.J. D’Amato told city officials they

were excited to be a part of the Newport Beach corporate community.

“You can count on Newport Lexus being a terrific corporate

citizen, not only financially but personally,” Wilson said.

Heffernan said the dealership will only mean good things for

Newport Beach.

“Clearly this is going to be a huge advantage for us,” Heffernan

said. “We want them here. It’s a win-win situation, and it’s a

long-term tax generator for the city.”

Wilson applauded the efforts of city staffers to work with the

dealership to proceed as quickly as possible with the construction.

“You’re to be commended on what a great job the staff has done to

get us to this level,” Wilson said.