Costa Mesa Approves $19.4 Million Fire Station 2 Rebuild; Bond Financing Raises Questions

COSTA MESA, ORANGE COUNTY — NOVEMBER 5, 2026. The Costa Mesa City Council has approved a long-planned replacement of Fire Station No. 2 at 800 Baker Street. The proposed total project budget is about $19.4 million, while the financing plan includes between $14 million and $16 million in lease revenue bonds.

What will replace the existing station?

The 80-year-old, roughly 6,600-square-foot station is slated for demolition and replacement with a new building of about 9,445 square feet. Plans include improved vehicle bays, living and training areas, storage and a public lobby. According to local reporting, the city expects the new building could be completed by early 2029, but the schedule remains dependent on construction.

How will it be paid for?

The council authorized bond financing with estimated payments extending into the 2040s. The financing method allows construction spending before all costs are paid, but adds interest and other obligations over time. Residents at the council meeting questioned whether the city had sufficiently consulted its Finance and Pension Advisory Committee and what the full long-term borrowing cost would be.

Why the council went ahead

Supporters argue the existing facility no longer adequately supports modern emergency service operations. The council approved the plan unanimously. During construction, fire personnel will use temporary arrangements, and the project budget reportedly includes those relocation costs.

Source: Daily Pilot, October 30, 2026, reporting the October council decision, contractor selection and financing concerns. This is an approved project, not a completed building.

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