NEWPORT BEACH : City May Sell ‘Park’ to Help Fund Library

A vacant lot in a residential neighborhood that has come to be known as “People’s Park” may be sold off for needed funds for the city’s new Central Library.

The lot on River Avenue has been empty since the city seized the property decades ago for unpaid taxes, but nearby residents have come to adopt the parcel as their private park.

Last week, Councilwoman Ruthelyn Plummer suggested that the city initiate plans to sell the lot and use the funds to help finance the city’s commitment to the new Central Library.

Most council members agreed that the city should try to sell the property, but Councilwoman Jean H. Watt suggested that the funds be used to finance more open space. The city hopes to sell the land, which is zoned for a duplex, for about $300,000.

Plummer, however, argued that since the city is paying just more than $1 million toward the new, $14-million Central Library--which is virtually paid for but is still in need of funds for furnishings--the money would be better spent there.

“It’s not considered open space or a park or whatever, and now we have a real honest-to-goodness use” for the money, Plummer said.

The city tried to sell the property about two years ago, but when the matter was put to a vote, residents narrowly defeated the proposal.

Rather than putting the issue to a popular vote again, the City Council is considering a ballot measure that would give the city authority to sell city-owned land, such as the River Avenue lot, with council approval.