Breakdown of the approved City Hall plans

The fire station will be renovated but will remain in generally the same location on 32nd Street.

Canal

One of the most creative ideas floated in the months-long planning process was to install a canal to flush pollution from the waters west of Newport Boulevard. The canal would stretch across the city's parcel, through adjacent land and under the boulevard. Descriptions ranged from "a glorified fountain" to an almost-navigable waterway.

Some West Newport residents pointed out that drunks would surely play in the canal at night, and others pointed out its astronomical costs.

While the City Council left the canal as an option, members said they didn't think it was feasible.

Parking

Early plans showed a massive parking garage on the City Hall site that could be used by nearby property owners. It would be a revenue-source for the city, planners said.

But council members complained, and the parking garage was relocated to a parcel near the intersection of 32nd Street and Lafayette Road.

The latest proposal would require Lido Village charter boat operators to park their passengers' cars somewhere outside of Lido Village. Apparently, they generate too many cars to feasibly park in the area.

Retail

Some have said they would like retail development on the site to make money for the city and to make the area more lively. While the plan approved last week didn't explicitly call for shops or restaurants on the City Hall site, some of the council members made it clear that they wanted to explore it as an option.

Said one current retail tenant: "It'd be really nice to have some neighbors."