Seismic retrofitting and inadequate classroom space have prompted plans for new construction projects in the Berkeley Unified School District.

The plans for the projects were presented on Monday and Wednesday during district community meetings.

Because the buildings administrative staff currently work in are seismically unsafe, plans have been made to relocate the administrative headquarters to the West Campus site from their current location at Downtown Berkeley's Old City Hall. There were plans for relocation two years ago, but the project was delayed because of high costs.

Now, the district has two options for the move. Berkeley Unified School District spokesperson Mark Coplan said one option is to place modular units, or ready-made buildings that are constructed at a faster rate and lower cost, in the current parking lot on West Campus. The other option, which has been requested by many community members, involves the rehabilitation of a building on Bonar Street on the West Campus.

The primary difference between the two locations is that moving to the West Campus site would be cheaper, but provides only a temporary solution to the problem. Moving to the Bonar building is more expensive, but would provide a permanent solution.

Meanwhile, the need for new classrooms has fueled construction plans for Berkeley High School.

"The first stage, which we will be working on shortly, is an upgrade to the track, the bleacher area and adding a small concession area. There may be some changing of the locker room space," said school board President John Selawsky. "The second stage will be the old gym building, but we're not going to get there for another three years or so. (The third stage) may be some plans for the softball fields."

The second stage of the Berkeley High School project would require tearing down the current gym and building about 15 classrooms and a smaller gym in its place. Currently, the gym houses a warm-water pool, which is available to the public for therapeutic uses after school hours. Members of the disabled community have expressed disapproval of the construction plans due to the displacement of the warm pool.

District Facilities Director Lew Jones said the city and the district formed a task force to find a new location for the pool.

District officials said construction for the two projects is still in the planning stages.

Tags: BERKELEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT