NEWS
By Joseph Serna | December 16, 2011
COSTA MESA — A gym and community center proposed for an apartment complex would hurt the view and lower home values in the surrounding Mesa Verde neighborhood, residents and a longtime real estate agent argued this week. The proposed 44-foot-tall fitness and community center in the Villa Venetia apartments off Adams Avenue and Mesa Verde Drive East was approved by the city Planning Commission earlier this year. The building's proposed height exceeds the city's 27-foot limit for the property, so the owner needed approval from the Planning Commission.
NEWS
By Mike Reicher | November 29, 2011
NEWPORT BEACH — The City Council voted Tuesday night to build a $2-million pedestrian bridge linking two portions of its planned Civic Center. Despite criticism from some who said the bridge would be a waste of money, a 4-3 majority approved the addition. The Civic Center construction project swelled over the years into a $130-million plan, and during the tight economy the City Council has made a priority of trimming costs. The council majority decided Tuesday to add what some called a vital component.
NEWS
By Mike Reicher | November 28, 2011
The Newport Beach Civic Center construction project could cost an additional $2 million if the City Council decides Tuesday to revive a proposal for a pedestrian bridge. Public Works Director Steve Badum plans to present the latest construction costs and recommend the council add the bridge, which would connect two halves of a park bisected by San Miguel Drive. Criticized for building the $130-million Civic Center in the midst of a recession and a shrinking city staff, the council in February voted to hold off on the bridge to save costs.
NEWS
By Britney Barnes, britney.barnes@latimes.com | March 7, 2011
COSTA MESA — City and school officials unveiled a new teen center Monday at Costa Mesa Middle School. About two dozen middle-school students gathered for the grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting, which took place after school let out for the day. As soon as the center opened, middle school students made themselves at home playing board games, table sports, musical instruments and making arts and crafts. "It seems like a lot of fun," said seventh-grader Kate Piatti, 12. "Everyone's having a good time.
NEWS
By Mona Shadia, mona.shadia@latimes.com | December 6, 2010
COSTA MESA — The City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to amend its zoning code to make it tougher to open recycling centers citywide. The vote follows the recent revocation of the Garcia Recycling center permit on 19th Street. The business has operated in Costa Mesa for more than 20 years without any violations. Planning Commissioner Steve Mensinger had called for a review of the center's operations and had suggested closing it down due to complaints about noise and the type of customers attracted to the center, such as the homeless.
NEWS
By Tom Ragan | June 6, 2010
Brandon Liesenfelt heard the pop, then looked behind and saw an explosion about 400 yards away. That happened more than three years ago, when he was patrolling the streets of Fallujah as a corporal in the U.S. Marines. Today, he's logging onto computers in the quietude of the new Veterans Center at Vanguard University of Southern California. Liesenfelt, a Georgia native, hopes to earn a bachelor's in business administration from the Christian university in Costa Mesa. His tuition is virtually free, thanks to the G.I. Bill drawn up by former President George W. Bush because, as Liesenfelt put it, "The president knew we were going to be going where the heat was."
NEWS
By Brianna Bailey | January 20, 2010
The Oasis Senior Center hopes to see its membership grow from about 4,000 to anywhere from 6,000 to 8,000 when it moves into a new 36,500-square-foot building in Corona del Mar this fall, officials said. “We anticipate a lot of people will want to come check it out because it’s something new,” said Scott Paulsen, president of Friends of Oasis, which raises money for the senior center. Construction on the $16.5-million building on Marguerite Avenue is on schedule, and the center could be moving into its new digs by October or November, center Director Celeste Jardine-Haug said.
NEWS
By Brianna Bailey | November 19, 2009
Newport Beach hopes to keep the cost of the massive new civic center project on Avocado Avenue at about $105 million by downsizing the design, according to a new city report. City officials hope to lower the project’s cost by eliminating plans for emergency operations in favor of putting the facility in the basement of City Hall. The city also will do away with photovoltaic cells planned as part of the project, and a 275-seat community meeting room has be reduced in size to 175 seats.
NEWS
October 13, 2009
Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff will give a presentation on the new Civic Center project at the next Speak Up Newport meeting today at the Newport Beach Yacht Club. A reception with appetizers and a cash bar begins 5:30 p.m. The program will start at 6 p.m. The yacht club is at 1099 Bayside Drive. Newport Beach has plans to build a new city hall and parking structure next to the central library on Avocado Avenue. The project also will include a 16-acre park, adding as much as 17,000 square feet to the library.