$321M Retrofit Stadium Project Moves Forward

BERKELEY, CA-San Jose, CA-based Rosendin Electric has started work on the seismic retrofit of the California Memorial Stadium at the University of California, Berkeley. The construction project, valued at $321 million, includes a modular design to protect the structure in the event of an earthquake and an upgrade of the entire electrical system.

UC Berkeley’s California Memorial Stadium was built in 1923 on top of a section of the Hayward Fault. The seismic retrofit project calls for the construction of a facility inside the walls of the existing structure, including two sections of free-floating, surface rupture blocks that can move independently in the event of an earthquake without crumbling.

Rosendin Electric has been working with a team of structural engineers, seismologists, geologists, and contractors since February 2010 on preconstruction of the stadium. The stadium, scheduled for completion in time for the 2012 football season, will include a new press box, wider concourses, three new club levels, as well as additional restrooms, concessions and expanded seating. As part of the $13.5 million electrical contract, Rosendin Electric will be installing new lighting throughout, a state-of-the-art scoreboard, and ribbon boards.

“There are so many aspects of this project that make it exciting. Rosendin Electric is one of a handful of Bay Area contractors with the expertise to do the preconstruction work and bring the cost down to a figure that was acceptable to the University,” says Tom Paluch, senior project manager for Rosendin Electric. “We expect the final project to be a showplace and the Cal Bears can be proud of their new home in an earthquake-safe, state-of-the-art facility built inside the shell of the historic 1923 Memorial Stadium.:

Webcor Builders is the General Contractor for the UC Berkeley California Memorial Stadium project. By December 2010, work to renovate and retrofit the stadium was well underway, with crews in the process of removing bleachers and turf—both of which will be reused or recycled—as well as demolishing the old restrooms, concession stands and locker rooms.

The master plan for the stadium was first announced in November 2005. “We have a transformation underway of the southeast quadrant of campus that will extend UC Berkeley’s leadership in academics and athletics,” said Chancellor Robert Birgeneau at the time. “Our plan is ambitious, exciting and innovative.”