Newport Beach Civic Center Project May Spark Debates

What started out as a small project to rebuild the Newport Beach city hall has morphed into a grand plan to create an entire “Civic Center,” prompting residents and real estate experts to question the project’s feasibility.

The project would include a city hall measuring 89,000 square feet, a 275-person community room, council chambers with 150-person capacities, a 450-car parking space, civic greens, wetlands, and a pedestrian bridge connecting the central and north areas.

The Central Library itself would also be expanded by 7,000 square feet, and a walkway would be constructed connecting it to the civic green in the center’s “south” park parcel. The “north” parcel would include surface parking and a dog park.

A 4,800-square foot emergency operation center is also in the works to serve in case of earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters. Designers are still deciding whether to but it in the city hall’s basement or a separate bunker.

The entire project would cost anywhere from $89 million to $140 million. This has caused much speculation on how Newport Beach would afford the costs, considering it currently faces a deficit of about $5 million.

Dave Kiff, the city manager, says the project is still at the estimation phase, and that they are still waiting for bids to come in. The estimates, he added, are usually very conservative, so it’s likely that the actual costs may be lower.

Kiff went on to explain that the city has been saving up for the civic center for a while and has about $80 million in reserves. For the rest of the costs, he says, the city will issue certificates of participation.

 

Earlier in Newport Beach Real Estate News:
Newport Beach Home Prices Up Over Year
Newport Beach Among O.C.’s Slowest Markets
Newport Beach ZIP Sees Sales Spike as Prices Plunge