The Newport Beach Planning Commission approved the pump station project in late January. That decision was unsuccessfully appealed to the City Council on Tuesday night.
Construction on the lecture hall, which will cost an estimated $23.5 million overall, is expected to begin this spring for completion in winter 2025. The Newport Beach Public Library Foundation is expected to split its costs with the city.
In the last few days, though, at least 200 emails have flooded City Hall, with more residents questioning the new price tag and the city's contribution than supporting the project.
The Newport Beach City Council unanimously voted to have Will O'Neill serve a second term as mayor on Tuesday. Joe Stapleton was selected to serve as mayor pro tem.
A roundup of news briefs and calendar events from around coastal Orange County, including this week items from Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.
The Newport Aquatic Center has stood at its current location since 1987 on land leased to it by the city of Newport Beach and the county of Orange, which share ownership.
A roundup of news briefs and calendar items from around coastal Orange County, including this week items from Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Irvine.