Community speakers urge Newport‑Mesa board to preserve 11.36 acres for environmental nature center

Two community members used the closed‑session public comment period May 21 to urge the Newport‑Mesa Unified School District to preserve an 11.36‑acre parcel as open space rather than build workforce housing.

Wendy Leece, a long‑time District 7 resident and former board member, said West Side children lack open, natural spaces and asked trustees to prioritize development of an Environmental Nature Center (ENC) on the 11.36 acres so students who live in nearby apartments could access ecology and outdoor science programming. "It's not about money, it's about kids," Leece told the board.

Terry Welsh, president of the Coastal Corridor Alliance and chair of the Randall Preserve Advisory Committee, suggested the district explore the city's Fairview Developmental Center redevelopment (95 acres) as an alternative location for workforce housing and offered to engage the board on preserving the 11.36 acres. He also asked the district to reconsider last month's contract or site decision that he said favored Knight Hall.

Both speakers asked the board to consider conservation and educational uses and to delay or revisit decisions favoring housing on the parcel. The board moved to closed session immediately after public comments to discuss real property negotiations but did not announce any specific action on the 11.36‑acre parcel during open session; the only closed‑session action disclosed was approval of a resignation agreement unrelated to property.

Trustees did not take a land‑use vote at this meeting. Mr. Welsh noted an upcoming Randall Preserve Advisory Committee meeting where resource management and public access plans will be discussed and invited board and public participation.