BREAKING NEWS:

Early election returns for Measure B show a 10% lead for the pro-measure group City Hall in the Park.

City Hall in the Park had racked up 6,764 votes with four of 89 precincts reporting, or about 55%. About 45 % early votes were against the measure, or 5,521 votes.

The mood at the City Hall in the Park watch party Tuesday evening at a Newport gated community clubhouse was one of reserve and cautious optimism.

“I think it’s a good sign. By no means is it time to go home,” said City Hall in the Park supporter Ron Hendrickson.

The Newporters Vote No on B campaign met Tuesday night at the Corona del Mar home of one its supporters and watched presidential primary returns on local television while live results on Measure B from the Orange County Registrar of Voters website were projected onto a large screen.

“This is a very energetic and optimistic group of volunteers and they’re conducting this campaign wearing out the rubber on the soles of their shoes,” said Karen Tringali, an organizer for No on B.

Voters earlier today at the Newport Beach Public Library mostly opposed the measure, citing increased traffic they believed the measure could generate in their neighborhood.

“I think there’s more homework to be done,” Newport Beach voter Ulla Overby said. “I think it’s a little premature.”

Newport Beach voters in favor of the measure said cost and convenience were major factors in their decision.

“They should build (city hall) on the new location because right now it’s just empty space and we won’t have to buy the land,” said Newport Beach voter Rosita Chausse. “It saves money and it’s easy to access.”

Measure B would amend the city charter to require Newport to build its next city hall on a 12.8-acre parcel of city-owned land next to the central library on Avocado Avenue.

Opponents of the measure say the site should be preserved as a park. Supporters say a park can coexist on the site with a new city hall and that the land would be the cheapest to build on because the city owns the property.

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at [email protected].