Newport Beach officials have put roughly $1.5 million behind a possible new police headquarters at Civic Center Park, even as a resident-backed advisory committee weighs other locations and critics accuse the city of favoring the park before the site-selection process is finished. The spending does not approve construction, but it moves the controversial Civic Center option from broad concept toward detailed study.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the City Council approved contracts Tuesday for conceptual design, environmental analysis and strategic communications. Councilmember Robyn Grant opposed all three agreements, while Joe Stapleton joined her in voting against the communications contract.
The approved work includes a $713,080 conceptual-design phase with LPA Inc., a $346,330 environmental-impact report with Environmental Planning Development Solutions, and up to $315,000 for outreach with Westbound Communications. A separate amendment would add up to $150,000 for environmental consulting, bringing the potential package to about $1.5 million.
The City Says No Site Has Been Chosen Yet
Newport Beach's official police headquarters project page says the city is still evaluating the current Santa Barbara Drive location, city-owned property on Dove Street, the Civic Center campus and privately owned sites near the Civic Center area. The city also says no final site selection or construction project has been approved, and that traffic, parking, grading, habitat and other environmental questions remain unresolved.
The Civic Center fight intensified after a March council directive told staff to focus on the park as the future headquarters site. A March report noted that the concept could consume about 3.5 acres of parkland, include the area associated with the Bunnyhenge sculpture garden and cost an estimated $162 million, prompting dozens of residents to speak against it.
Resident Committee Is Still Weighing Alternatives
The newer advisory committee was created to broaden the process beyond a council-only group, with three councilmembers and four Newport Beach residents tasked with reviewing locations, costs, design and public input. The city's committee page says its purpose is to recommend the most suitable location to the City Council.
That group has already been reviewing the city's history and facility needs, according to its July meeting agenda. The city-owned Dove Street property near John Wayne Airport remains among the alternatives, though earlier discussions raised concerns about its location and police response times.
Why Newport Beach Wants A New Headquarters
The current police headquarters opened in 1973 and, according to the city, no longer meets modern operational, technological, space and infrastructure needs. The police union has also described recent problems at the aging facility, including water leaks, mold, an electrical fire and unreliable Wi-Fi, as reported by the Daily Pilot.
For now, Newport Beach has approved a substantial round of homework rather than a building project. The city's timeline calls for more concept refinement, environmental review, traffic and parking analysis, public outreach and further council review, with no construction schedule approved.
