Public meeting to focus on city hall ballot measure

A public forum tonight will lay the first bricks for what could be a heated community debate over a February ballot measure that would require Newport Beach’s city hall to be built next to the city’s central library.

Sponsored by the West Newport Beach Assn., the public forum is titled “City Hall in the Park: To be or not to be.” The measure will appear on presidential primary ballots Feb. 5.

Lead proponent of the measure Bill Ficker, from the group City Hall in the Park, will speak at the event. Ficker and other City Hall in the Park supporters will write the ballot argument for the measure. The group argues the proposed building site is the best place to put a new city hall.

Newport Beach Councilman Keith Curry, from the opposition group Parks are Priceless, will discuss the drawbacks of building a new city hall next to the library. The group argues the city shouldn’t break a promise to use the land as a park. Parks are Priceless will author the ballot argument against the measure.

The discussion will begin at 7 p.m. in council chambers at Newport Beach City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

— Brianna Bailey