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Newport Beach council keeps civic‑center police‑headquarters option alive after hours of debate and public outcry over park use
Summary
After hours of testimony from staff, chiefs and hundreds of residents, the Newport Beach City Council voted 6–1 in a straw vote to continue evaluating a police headquarters at the Civic Center Park, with instructions for expanded public engagement and more detailed environmental and cost analysis; opponents warned of wetlands loss and legal and environmental costs.
Newport Beach city staff on March 10 presented alternatives for replacing the city’s more than 50‑year‑old police headquarters, and the City Council directed staff to continue evaluating a Civic Center Park option—even as dozens of residents urged the council to rule the park site out because of wetlands, public‑art and trail impacts.
Public Works Director Dave Webb summarized a multi‑site review undertaken by the City’s ad hoc committee and outside consultants, laying out constructibility, operational continuity, cost and land availability for four broad options: rebuild on the existing Santa Barbara Avenue site, build a new station at the city‑owned 1201 Dove Street property the city purchased in 2023, assemble private land near Newport Center, or build at Civic Center Park.
“The current police facility is 49,200 plus square feet,” Webb said, noting the existing complex…
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