Newport Beach breaks ground on Balboa Branch Library and Fire Station No. 1

Newport Beach officials and partners broke ground on an 18-month rebuild of the Balboa Branch Library and Fire Station No. 1, a project estimated at $14.6 million. City staff say the new 3,770 sq ft library and 5,400 sq ft station are expected to be completed by September 2027.

Newport Beach officials, library board members and first responders gathered outside the Balboa Branch Library and Fire Station No. 1 to break ground on an 18-month rebuild. The two aging buildings share a single, city-owned lot on the 100 block of East Balboa Boulevard and were originally constructed in 1929 and 1962. Plans call for a new 3,770-square-foot library and a 5,400-square-foot fire station, along with a playground, green space and public parking. City staff estimate the $14.6 million project will be finished by September 2027. Key details: - The project combines library and fire services in a redesigned layout; a council working group and the library's Board of Trustees helped develop the plan. - Councilmember Erik Weigand described the integrated concept as a "fibrary" and said the fire station will be moved to the corner for better access to the boulevard. - Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles called the groundbreaking a significant milestone and noted the Peninsula's complex response environment with limited access points and water on both sides. - Some residents appealed the planned removal of a eucalyptus tree used by nesting great blue herons; an arborist found the tree showed signs of disease and the city revised planting plans to include Western sycamore, sweetshade and Australian willow trees. - The Balboa Branch Library will be closed during construction; library staff said preschool storytime and hold pickup will be available at Marina Park Community Center and community center hours. Summary: The project will replace two long-standing facilities with modernized library and fire station spaces intended to improve access and services on the Balboa Peninsula. Construction will close the Balboa Branch Library while alternate programming and material services are offered, and the build is scheduled to conclude in September 2027.