University
of California, Berkeley
September 16, 1999
REVITALIZATION
OF THE LOWER SPROUL COMPLEX
INTO THE STUDENT LIFE PRECINCT FOR THE CAMPUS
We propose that the Lower Sproul complex be revitalized into a focus for student life and the campus community. This is a collaborative project involving the ASUC, Undergraduate Affairs, Cal Performances, the California Alumni Association, Intercollegiate Athletics, and others located in the Sproul area. The goals are to
Existing Problems and Needs
Eshleman Hall is rated seismically poor. The building is of little architectural value, poorly designed, and badly maintained. Upgrading or replacing the building would greatly improve services to students.
Surrounding buildings and Sproul Plaza itself are poorly maintained. As the King Student Union, Chávez Center, and Eshleman Hall are all student-fee funded, there has been only limited funding for ongoing maintenance. These buildings need maintenance and, in some cases, major renovation. Both Upper and Lower Sproul Plazas are neglected and dirty.
Lower Sproul Plaza itself is underutilized and aesthetically unappealing. The space serves mainly as Zellerbach surge space before/after performances, as a "pass through" for students, and as a site for street performers and homeless people. Its cement expanse is bleak, with no inviting sites for people to sit and linger. This area of campus has not received the design attention of most other areas of campus.
Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union is poorly utilized. Rooms are locked, hallways are deserted, prime campus space sits underutilized. The building is poorly configured and not designed to meet current or future students’ needs.
Chávez Center on the north side of Lower Sproul is a confusing building. The renovation of the former Dining Commons resulted in chopped-up spaces of poor quality for delivering high-quality student services. While modest improvements have been made, the interior could benefit from a major reconceptualization and renovation.
Area food services need to be improved. There is an overall need in Lower Sproul for attractive food services that can also serve as gathering places for students and community members who attend events at Zellerbach and Haas.
The Career Center and Academic Achievement Division, housed in buildings that are seismically poor, need to be back on central campus. A key and heavily used student service, the Career Center, is off campus in a distant and inconvenient location in the Banway building, which is seismically rated poor. The Academic Achievement Division is in 2515 Channing, originally constructed as a residence hall, which is also rated seismically poor. We would like to centralize as many core student services as possible in the Sproul or adjacent area for the convenience of students and to enhance the delivery of services.
There is no inviting gateway from Bancroft to draw in passersby. People enter Lower Sproul through a variety of small entrances; the main entrance from the street, between Eshleman and the Student Union, is quite narrow and creates no real sense of entry to the space. At the street, bus stops, parking, and pedestrian areas are chaotic and the area has deteriorated physically.
First Steps
As an initial step in revitalizing the Lower Sproul complex and bringing the Career Center and Academic Achievement Division back to central campus, we are undertaking design and programming studies to focus on Lower Sproul Plaza and adjacent areas. The design study will address existing design and utilization problems that make the spaces uninviting, poorly used, and not well linked to surrounding buildings. The programming study will investigate opportunities for rethinking the use of spaces to better meet students’ needs.
A six-month effort is proposed, using Physical and Environmental Planning staff and design and programming consultants. Opportunities for all interested constituent groups to participate will be amply provided.
Funding
Revitalizing the Lower Sproul Complex is a major capital project requiring a variety of possible funding strategies, including student fees, deferred maintenance money, seismic funds, donor funds, corporate partnerships, and other sources.