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.
Daily Pilot readers share their thoughts about local issues including off-leash dogs, proposed charter amendments in Surf City and the Newport Beach Library Lecture Hall project.
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.