Chancellor Unveils Plan for Redesigned Stadium

Chancellor Robert Birgeneau announced construction plans for a high-performance athletic study center Thursday, the first part of a multi-phase plan to transform Memorial Stadium and its surroundings.

The plans, revealed at a press conference at the Haas School of Business, detailed the first stage of the Southeast Campus Integrated Project, which includes a study center, seismic retrofits to Memorial Stadium, and a new building to connect the law and business schools.

"Our plan is ambitious, exciting and innovative," said Birgeneau. "We have a transformation underway that will extend UC Berkeley's leadership in academics and athletics."

The 132,500 square-foot center will sit below the west wall of Memorial Stadium and will house state-of-the-art training, sports medicine, and academic facilities for athletes in Cal football and 12 Olympic sports.

The center's rooftop plaza will also serve Cal fans as a destination for events and game-day activities.

Pending a favorable environmental review and formal approval from the UC Board of Regents, the campus will begin construction of the center in December 2006.

Fundraising efforts are still underway for the project, which officials have estimated will cost between $100 to $125 million.

"We have received tremendous support for the center and we are quickly approaching the $60 million mark," said Athletic Director Sandy Barbour.

While the center's completion date is slated for the beginning of the 2008 football season, administrators were vague about the details of the Memorial Stadium renovation and the law and business building.

The stadium, which sits directly above the Hayward fault line, will undergo a seismic retrofit and improved grading of the hill to provide easier access to the stadium.

The stadium plan also outlines improved fan amenities, including premier seating and a reconfiguration of the press box and media facilities.

The renovation will downsize the seating capacity within the stadium, Barbour said, but will not go below a minimum capacity of 60,000.

The structure's historic facade will be maintained, officials said.

"We really wanted to preserve this wonderful historic site," said Darryl Roberson, a principal architect at Studios Architecture. "It's a classic building and my thought was always the facade should stay the same."

A timeline has also yet to be set for the law and business building, which has been estimated to cost between $140-$160 million.

"This building is going to have a truly extraordinary design, it's sort of a cross between a butterfly and a pyramid, with one wing for each school," said Christopher Edley, dean of Boalt Hall School of Law. "Both professional schools are in desperate need of this space."

The center, which will be constructed on the parking lot between the two schools, will feature an atrium serving as study space during the day and forum seating for special events at night, Edley said.

The new building also does not have a definite beginning date because funds are still being raised.

Administrators all maintained that the next move for the southeast quadrant project will be raising enough to meet their goals.

"Berkeley alumni are incredibly passionate about excellence," Barbour said. "We want to be consistent with Berkeley standards, which are world-class."

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