Newport Backs New City Hall

The Newport Beach City Council voted early Wednesday to pursue replacing the outdated and crowded City Hall.

Shortly before 1 a.m., the council voted 5 to 2 for the project, estimated at $41.5 million, that would include a new fire station, a 350-space parking structure and a community room. An earlier estimate of $19.1 million did not include the additional structures.

“I’m looking forward to working toward a project the entire city could be proud of, and I firmly believe that’s what we’ll have,” said Mayor Steven Bromberg, who worked to gain support by giving public tours and being the host of TV segments about the plans.

The next step is to calculate the precise cost and create a design. The council is expected to make a final decision on the project by fall.

The civic center on Newport Boulevard has four administrative buildings, a council chamber and two trailers that house city offices.

The oldest building was constructed in 1945; the last was built 20 years ago.

More than a dozen people spoke at the meeting, with many saying that the plan was too costly and that more public comment was needed.

Council member John Heffernan, who voted against the rebuilding, said City Hall could be improved but that not enough alternatives were presented.

“I think it’s in the wrong location, and there were some cheaper alternatives that were never explored,” he said.

Funding for the project could be paid through the city’s Public Facilities Corp. with a form of bond based on general fund revenue, said City Manager Homer Bludau, but the city is looking at other options.