Council may vote to study park site

NEWPORT BEACH — In a surprising reversal of course, city leaders agreed Tuesday that they should vote on studying whether to build a city hall on the 12 acres designated to become Newport Center Park. But it’s not because they all agree it’s the right place for a new city hall.

Councilman Ed Selich, who proposed evaluating the park property, said he expects the study will lay to rest, rather than bolster, the idea of building a city hall at the park.

“No one should infer from this that I am in favor of a city hall here,” Selich said. “Cost would only be one factor in making our decision.”

In a 4-3 vote, the council decided that at its June 12 meeting it would consider finishing plans for Newport Center Park and seeking bids to build the first of three phases; accepting a $600,000 donation in exchange for naming rights to the park; and expanding the city’s contract with Los Angeles-based DMJM Design to conduct a preliminary study of building a city hall on the park land. City officials are waiting for a study of an Orange County Transportation Agency site down the street from the library, and supporters of putting a city hall on the park site are working on a ballot initiative.

“While I admit this park is not ideally located, there is no other realistic option to provide a park in Newport Center,” Selich said.

Mayor Steve Rosansky and council members Don Webb and Leslie Daigle voted against Selich’s idea. They have supported considering the park land as a city hall, but they don’t support moving forward with park plans at the same time.

It’s a good idea to get unbiased information on whether a city hall can be built there, Daigle said. “I’m all for rational analysis,” she said.