Newport Gets Green Light for Marina Park

Newport Beach received a development permit this week which clears the way for crews to begin construction on the Marina Park Project, according to a city news release.


The California Coastal Commission permit was issued to the city on Friday for the Marina Park Project, which will be built on the Balboa Peninsula just off of Balboa Boulevard, between 15th and 18th streets. City officials said construction of the 10-acre, public waterfront park, will start by the end of the year and is estimated to cost between $21-24 million.

“Very few, if any, California coastal cities have the opportunity to turn coveted,
waterfront property into a public park,” Councilman Mike Henn said in a released statement. “We are already looking forward to seeing Newport Beach residents and visitors – whether they come by land or sea – enjoying the space and its amenities.”

The 10-acre public park will include a 23,832-square-foot multi-purpose community and sailing program building, provide more accessibility to a large, public bay front beach, a 5,500- square-foot Girl Scout building, a new visitor-serving marina consisting of 23 slips and a 200-foot-long side tie area, basketball half-courts, a children’s play area, restrooms and a 157-space public parking area.

Currently a mobile home park sits on the land slated for Marina Park. In 2007 the residents entered into a settlement agreement with the city, which resulted in the city buying the residents’ mobile homes for $35,000 each and lowering the rent.

City officials said residents will receive a 90-day notice and have the option to repurchase and move their existing mobile homes.

City Manager Dave Kiff said the city has maintained communication over the last several years with the property manager and residents' legal representatives to ensure they knew the park's timeline.

“We made sure they knew that the Coastal Commission approved the project last summer and that the permit was pending," Kiff said. "Those relationships have been important to us and we appreciate the good communication they’ve shared over the years.”

City officials said it could take about two and a half years for Marina Park to be built.

What do you think about the Marina Park Project? Tell us in the comments.

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