The construction of the beautiful 10-acre Marina Park Project on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach is ahead of schedule and on budget. The builder, KPRS Construction Services, Inc. of Brea, California began in early 2014 and will continue through Spring 2016.
The project includes a new 23 slip visitor serving marina, 10,500 SF Community Center, 11,000 SF Sailing Center, Children’s Themed Playground and Picnic area, two halfcourt basketball surfaces, a Fitness Circuit, a Café/Diner to be operated privately under lease, reconstruction of the 19th Street Public Restroom Facility, frontage beach improvements, and 177 on-site parking space.
After going on a hardhat tour of the site with Iris Lee, the Senior Civil Engineer for this project, I was amazed to see the transformation from looking at the Blue Prints to viewing the actual buildings. There are so many unique and unusual features to this project. The entire site flows together with a beautiful and progressive design. The community center has sweeping views of the Newport Harbor, and the public will be able to rent the meeting rooms and participate in a variety of classes offered through Parks and Recreation. The facilities are designed with the public in mind with benches looking out over the water, and a uniquely designed playground with a sandy beach, and a slide. The slide will be attached to the top of the restrooms, that are designed to look like a lighthouse with an accessible deck. The sailing Center is going to be a true asset to our sailing community are there are currently no publicly owned centers of its kind in the City and it is rumored that UCI will be taking up residence in the sailing center. There will be a guest dock for visiting boaters and the public will have easy access to launch their kayaks and SUP’s. The many people that have boats on the moorings in the harbor will be able to use the docks to park their dingy’s when they go ashore. A portion of the community center will be the new offices for the Harbor Resources Department that is in charge of the Marina and moorings. One of the most iconic features of Marina Park is the soaring lighthouse that will be the new home for the Tsunami warning system that is currently located near the American Legion parking lot at 15th St. The site also includes an area reserved for the future construction of the Girl Scout Leadership Center.
Bellingham Marine Industries, Inc. of Dixon, California was just awarded the bid to begin the construction of the marina docks and improvements.
Marina Park will truly be a wonderful place for families to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Newport Beach.
