The project, slated to be complete by summer, was primarily made possible by a $5-million grant through Gov. Gavin Newsom's Clean California initiative.
Public officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of a new dog play area at Moulton Meadows Park in Laguna Beach on Thursday morning.
Approvals for the project went through in a tight 4-3 vote of the City Council in January. The total cost of the lecture hall, $23.4 million, will be split between the city and the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation.
The Gelson’s market in Laguna Beach will close at the end of the business day on Saturday. The nearest location to Laguna Beach going forward will be in Dana Point.