Study of city hall sites on right tack

The debate about a proposed new Newport Beach city hall took a useful turn forward last week as a city committee narrowed the list of where the city’s government may end up. Off the table: the Newport Dunes and the Land Rover dealership on Jamboree Road. Still possible, besides the present site, are a spot in Fashion Island and one on San Joaquin Hills Road near Lincoln Elementary School.

Given the outcry against this project ? as well as the outcry about a lack of consideration being given to moving city hall ? the city has done the proper thing in slowing down to look at the best location for a new city hall. The Fashion Island site makes sense because it is central in the city. The present site has tradition on its side. San Joaquin Hills Road is a wide thoroughfare with quick access to MacArthur Boulevard.

By narrowing the possible locations, city officials have successfully focused the discussion that is sure to continue about whether to build a new city hall ? and whether it needs to be moved.

The committee looking into different locations has the rest of the month to finish its job.

So far, so good.