Dana Point Gets Its First City Hall

Dana Point’s city officials on Monday proudly moved to the White House, the nickname some residents have given the newly rented City Hall.

The “White House” is actually a new white-frame office building at the intersection of the Street of the Golden Lantern and Acapulco Street. An upstairs suite of offices in the building Monday became Dana Point’s first consolidated City Hall since it gained cityhood Jan. 1.

“All of our departments are now here together,” said John W. Donlevy Jr., assistant to the city manager, as he proudly pointed out the city’s new quarters. “To have all the city employees working together now in one location is definitely a benefit.”

Replaces Trailers

For the last nine months, Dana Point has operated its city departments partially from a trailer and partially from a rented office about two miles away from the trailer, which has made for some confusion for some residents with business at City Hall.

“In the past, the public has sometimes gone to the trailer only to find they have to go to the other office building for what they need,” Donlevy said. “Having everything in one place . . . is a big advantage.”

The city is renting 9,000 square feet of space from the office complex known as The Village. The space includes an area for City Council meetings.

“Moving to a new City Hall is exciting, and it makes us seem like a real city,” Mayor Eileen Krause said. “It’s going to be nice to have everybody together in one place, and it’s especially going to be nice to have a place for City Council meetings.”

Noting that some of the city’s meetings have been in a gymnasium, Krause added, “It’ll be nice not to have to compete with aerobic classes next door!”