Mayor: In 2025, no traffic

Mayor Ed Selich glossed over the nation’s current economic malaise during the annual State of the City address on Wednesday night, instead focusing on what he hopes Newport Beach will look like in the year 2025.

Selich briefly acknowledged the city’s recent $2 million in budget cuts to cope with a sluggish economy before launching into a vision of Newport’s future that includes a water taxi service, an “iconic” new city hall and no traffic jams.

“We still need to be vigilant, and we are closely monitoring the situation,” Selich said of the current economic climate.

In Selich’s vision of 2025, all of the city’s problems will have been solved and the city will run with utopian efficiency.

“The city’s economic base is diversified and healthy,” Selich said “We have solved all of our traffic problems — no traffic jams.”

Selich quoted famed architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham during his remarks.

“’Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably will not themselves be realized,’” Selich quoted.

In Selich’s vision of 2025, Newport Center will become the city’s downtown, with a mix of residential areas and shopping. The area also will have a community arts and cultural center and a new city hall that “has managed to become an iconic symbol of the city.”

Central Balboa will include a restored Balboa Theater and a new Newport Harbor Nautical Museum.

Newport Harbor and Upper Newport Bay will be completely dredged in Selich’s vision for the future. A water taxi service will ferry people across the harbor.

The mayor also outlined his vision for Banning Ranch, in which he sees development going forward on the land that also would include at least 30 acres of parks with trails and interpretive centers.

The development would be a boon to both Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, he said.

“This will transform the west sides of both our cities,” Selich said.

By 2025, Newport Beach will have joined forces with other neighboring cities to fight expansion at John Wayne Airport. The airport also will continue to have a cap on how many passengers can pass through its gates, Selich said.

“My vision is your vision,” Selich concluded. “Fanciful, perhaps. Dreaming, sure ... but without dreams we cannot achieve our vision.”

Reporter BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.