The City is evaluating multiple potential approaches to address future police facility needs. Options under consideration include renovation or rebuilding at the existing Santa Barbara Drive site, the City-owned Dove Street property, privately-owned land near the Civic Center and a preliminary Civic Center campus concept.
Each option presents distinct operational, logistical, timeline and cost considerations that are still being evaluated.
No preferred option has been selected, and no final decisions have been made.
CURRENT PHASE
Early Evaluation
SITE SELECTION
No Site Selected
FACILITY OPTIONS
Multiple Options Under Review
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ongoing
HOW OPTIONS ARE BEING EVALUATED
Public Safety
Operations
Site Considerations /Site Suitability
Cost
Considerations
Project
Timeline
Community
Impact
Long-Term
Functionality
OPTIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION
EXISTING SITE
RENOVATION / REBUILD
A complete remodel and expansion of the existing Santa Barbara Drive police station.
EXISTING SITE
RENOVATION / REBUILD
A complete remodel and expansion of the existing Santa Barbara Drive police station.
The Newport Beach Police Department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Unlike a traditional office building, police operations include emergency dispatch, jail operations, evidence management and critical public safety functions that must remain operational at all times.
Maintaining uninterrupted services while renovating or rebuilding an active police headquarters would present significant operational and logistical challenges.
Shared with Fire Station No. 3 and presents space limitations affecting construction phasing.
Approximately six to seven years.
Approximately $167–188 million.
DOVE STREET
PROPERTY
City-owned property under evaluation
for future headquarters. No land acquisition required.
DOVE STREET
PROPERTY
City-owned property under evaluation for future headquarters.
Could be designed specifically to support current and future police operations.
No land acquisition required.
Potentially allows construction while the current headquarters remains operational.
Approximately $150 million.
CIVIC CENTER
CAMPUS CONCEPT
Preliminary concept exploring co-location with City Hall and the Central Library
CIVIC CENTER
CAMPUS CONCEPT
Preliminary concept exploring co-location with City Hall and the Central Library.
Additional analysis required.
Additional analysis regarding parking, circulation, public amenities and existing community features.
Approximately $162 million.
PRIVATE LAND NEAR
CIVIC CENTER
Would require the acquisition of privately-owned property.
PRIVATE LAND NEAR
CIVIC CENTER
Would require the acquisition of privately-owned property.
Land acquisition required with criteria on size, location, and accessibility.
More than $240 million.
COMPARING THE OPTIONS
Each option presents unique opportunities and challenges. The following comparison provides a high-level overview of several factors currently being evaluated.
*IMPORTANT NOTE: The information above reflects planning-level evaluations and preliminary estimates. Additional analysis will continue as the evaluation process moves forward.
COMMON QUESTIONS WE’RE HEARING
Has the City selected a preferred option?
No. Multiple options remain under evaluation, and
no preferred option has been selected. The City
commenced due diligence efforts that require
additional lead time.
Is the existing site still being considered?
Yes. Renovation and rebuilding scenarios at the current headquarters remain under evaluation.
Why is Dove Street being considered?
Dove Street is a City-owned property that may offer opportunities to support future police facility needs while avoiding land acquisition costs.
Why is the Civic Center campus being considered?
Civic Center campus is City-owned, centrally located with no land acquisition cost, and integrated with the City’s existing civic facilities. As the City continues to evaluate operational needs, response considerations, long-term functionality and access to civic services, these have become an increasingly important factor in the ongoing analysis.
Why is private property being evaluated?
The City is evaluating multiple approaches to fully understand available options and their associated opportunities and challenges.
What happens to park elements, like the sculptures of bunnies, and other Civic Center features?
The Sculpture Exhibition remains an important feature of the Civic Center campus and “museum without walls. Any plans related to sculpture pieces, Civic Center amenities or the rabbit statues would be evaluated through future concept refinement, environmental review and public input if this option moves forward. A large portion of the park would remain the same.
What is the role of the Advisory Committee?
As part of the broader public review process, the City established the Police Headquarters Advisory Committee comprised of three City Council members and four Newport Beach residents. The committee, which includes residents with backgrounds in construction, development and real estate finance, will help evaluate location, design and budget for a future police headquarters facility and provide recommendations to the City Council for their consideration. The committee acts in an advisory role and does not make final decisions for the City.
TOP QUESTIONS ABOUT FACILITY OPTIONS
Has a future location been selected?
No. Multiple options remain under evaluation, and no future facility location has been selected or approved.
How are locations being evaluated?
Each option is being evaluated based on a consistent set of criteria, including public safety operations, site considerations, cost, project timeline, community impact and long-term functionality.
In June 2026, the City established the Police Headquarters Advisory Committee comprised of three City Councilmembers and four Newport Beach residents. The committee is one of several ways the City is gathering community input and perspectives to help inform future discussions and decision-making.
How is public input being considered?
Community input is an important part of the evaluation process and will help inform future discussions and decision-making. Residents will have opportunities to stay informed, attend public meetings and provide feedback throughout the process. In addition, a Police Headquarters Advisory Committee comprised of three City Council members and four Newport Beach residents was formed. The committee will provide community perspectives and help facilitate public engagement as evaluation efforts continue.
What happens next?
The City will continue to evaluate options, conduct additional analyses and engage with the community before any potential recommendations are considered.
How long will the entire process take?
The evaluation process is still in its early stages and is expected to take several years. Additional analysis, community engagement, environmental review and future City Council consideration will occur before any potential design, or construction activities begin.
What operational challenges and disruptions would the police department face if the Santa Barbara site is selected?
- Employee Access and Parking
◦ Off-site parking and employee shuttles would be required.
◦ The Police Department operates 24 hours a day, with employees arriving and departing around the clock.
◦ Emergency callouts would be delayed if responding personnel, including SWAT officers, detectives and Crime Scene Investigators, had to park off-site and shuttle to the facility.
◦ Securing a suitable off-site parking location would present logistical and employee safety challenges.
- Emergency Vehicle Access
◦ Construction vehicles and equipment could create congestion, affecting emergency vehicle access to and from the facility.
◦ Construction activities could also limit on-site storage for specialized emergency vehicles, including the SWAT vehicle, BearCat and Mobile Command Post.
- Facility Security
◦ Construction workers and equipment moving through the site would create a less secure environment for a critical public safety facility.
◦ Adjacent construction could also create foreign object debris hazards during police helicopter operations.
- Operational Impacts
◦ Construction noise would disrupt critical operations, including detectives, dispatch personnel and other staff who require a quiet and focused work environment.
◦ Dust and debris would affect workplace safety and the cleanliness of operational areas.
◦ Construction could also affect on-site fueling operations and fuel deliveries.
- Public Access and Community Services
◦ Construction would make it more difficult for community members to access police services, including filing reports, posting bail and retrieving property.
◦ It would reduce the department’s ability to host meetings, training sessions and community programs such as the Citizens’ Academy and Teen Academy.
- Recruitment and Retention
◦ A prolonged period of construction and off-site parking requirements could negatively affect employee recruitment and retention.
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