105
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Design Concept - MLK Jr Civic Center Park & Surrounding Streets Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt, Oakland Los Angeles State Historic Park, LA Strawberry Creek, Berkeley Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt, Oakland Los Angeles State Historic Park, LA Strawberry Creek, Berkeley
50-65’ width, partial-flow
creekbed scenario
Minimum access lane for
emergency vehicles on Center
Site Plan with partial flow daylit Strawberry Creek
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - MLK Jr Civic Center Park & Surrounding Streets Daylighting
Considerations
A 1999 Creek Study prepared by Wolf
Mason included investigation of various
daylighting scenarios in Downtown
Berkely, including a partial flow scenario.
Key takeaways from the report and its
implications on MLK Jr Civic Center Park
are as follows:
The existing culvert is estimated to be
roughly 18’ under the surface of the
park, sloping down to the west.
Because of this depth, a full
restoration of a natural creek bed
would require over 150’ of width,
which is considered infeasible.
Partial-flow scenarios would require
retaining the existing culvert and
introducing a flow control structure
somewhere downstream of the BART
line, most likely near the northeast
corner of Civic Center Park.
If physical daylighting is deemed
infeasible, the creek can be
acknowledged symbolically.
Wolfe Mason Report Cover, 1999
Further study will be required to
ultimately determine feasibility for
dayligh
ting the creek. Many of the park
upgrades can be completed outside of
the area of impact while the study is
completed.
107
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
The existing culvert passes through
the BART alignment along Shattuck
through a roughly 8’ diameter culvert.
For partial-flow daylighting scenarios, a
flow control structure would be required.
Design Concept - MLK Jr Civic Center Park & Surrounding Streets The existing culvert passes through
the BART alignment along Shattuck
through a roughly 8’ diameter culvert.
For partial-flow daylighting scenarios, a
flow control structure would need to be
added around this location.
Existing Strawberry Creek culvert location in Downtown Berkeley (based on Wolfe Mason Study From 1999)
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
109
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
5.3 Maudelle
Shirek Building
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
Maudelle Shirek Building-
Seat of Berkeley’s Democracy
5.3 As the historic seat of government in
Berkeley, this project proposes returning
city functions back to the Maudelle Shirek
Building. Input from public engagement
scored Hearing & Meeting Rooms, Council
Chambers, and public-facing city services
as priority uses for the building.
Returning these functions to the heart of
Berkeley’s Civic Center will bring citizens
to the area throughout the day and into
the evening to attend meetings, hearings,
and gatherings.
In order to return the highest and best use
to this site, the Maudelle Shirek Building
required additions, modern amenities,
seismic upgrades, and other repairs.
“Active use of meeting rooms
for organizing events and
activism, attending City Council
meetings and public meetings. ”
“Its use should honor the
memory of Maudelle Shirek
with progressive social action,
women’s leadership, and racial
justice.”
Hearing & Meeting Rooms
Council Chambers
City Services
111
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
View to Maudelle Shirek Building from roof of Veterans Memorial Building City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
Additions & Improvements
Main Entry
The main entry to the Maudelle Shirek
Building is up an inaccessible flight of
stairs. This plan proposes an improved
plaza and universally accessible ramps
leading up to the main entry on the
first floor. The ramps curve from the
two crossings at Martin Luther King Jr
Way towards the central entry terrace,
creating a gracious way for all to access
the building through the same main entry.
Rear Addition
The design concept includes an addition
at the rear of the building, creating
space for a modern and appropriately
sized multi-purpose gathering room
that can serve the community as a space
for large public events and City Council
meetings.
A new addition on the west side of the
buildingreplaces the ahistorical rear
additions, and is sited on the southern
portion of the Public Service Building’s
controlled parking lot.
A study of the police and fire departments
parking capacity and needs is required to
confirm that they can be met on this site
or nearby.
Existing Rear Addition
Conceptual Ramp Approach
113
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
Addition at the Exploratorium, San Francisco
St. Johns Library, Winnipeg, Canada
East Bay Performing Arts Center , Richmond
Site Plan - Proposed Addition Location
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
Seismic Improvements:
Damage Control + to
Immediate Occupancy
Approach: City’s Public Works
Department recommends a seismic
upgrade for the Maudelle Shirek Building
to the level of Damage Control Plus ( DC+)
to Immediate Occupancy (IO) by adding
buttresses at rear of building and tying
into the historic structure.
At this level of seismic retrofit, the
building would be occupiable days after a
major seismic event.
Discussion: An Immediate Occupancy (IO)
upgrade will provide maximum flexibility
for City and public use of this asset
now and in the future. With this level of
improvement, the building can function
as an emergency operations and service
center during emergencies and in the
events of natural disasters.
Prior to the 2020 Vision Plan, the City
investigated an IO solution that featured
base isolators in the ground level spaces
of the Maudelle Shirek Building. This
approach takes up significant space on
the ground level and impacts the historic
fabric of the building.
After the completion of the 2020 Vision
Plan, Tipping Structural Engineers
developed a concept for achieving near
Immediate Occupancy levels through
buttressing on the rear of the building.
This approach is documented in their 2021
report on the Civic Center buildings.
By adding a new structure to the rear of
the building the design concept proposes
pursuing the buttressing approach in
place of base isolators, to reach DC+ to IO
seismic performance, providing flexibility
for city uses and maximizing usable area.
115
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
Seismic Improvement Locations
FIRST FLOOR (14,400 SF)
SECOND FLOOR (6,500 SF)
GROUND FLOOR (16,350 SF)
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
Other Improvements
Beyond the additions, a specific design
will need to address other required
improvements. These include addressing
the mechanical, electrical, lighting and
plumbing systems to bring them into
compliance with current building code
and City policy. The City of Berkeley is
committed to converting buildings to
be all-electric, including this historic
structure. Relatedly, energy production
through solar panels on the roof
of the addition should be explored.
Improvements and repairs to the building
envelope (enclosure) will help to stabilize
the structure. All of this work taken
together results in a more sustainable
and resilient building.
Beyond the improved entrance,
accessibility upgrades will be required
throughout including: adjusting door
widths and locations, clearing accessible
pathways, installing a modern elevator
core, and modifying elements to meet
accessible reach requirements.
Egress from the building does not comply
with modern fire codes. Proper exit
separations and paths will need to be
added, as will additional stair cores and
exits from the building for the increased
occupancy.
An existing attic space could be
upgraded to serve as storage space with
improvements to the vertical circulation.
This will require further study in a specific
design phase.
All of these changes will need to be
addressed while respecting the historic
nature of the building, and meeting
Secretary of the Interior standards for
historic preservation. As a part of that
effort, the beautiful historic finishes will
need repairs and restoration, and non-
historic elements will be replaced with
modern, healthy and resilient materials.
117
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
Accessibility
System Upgrades Building Performance Finishes Egress/Safety Accessibility
System Upgrades Building Performance Finishes Egress/Safety “...it was a pain to get
to and move between
rooms and floors”
“...upgrade to LEED
standards, include solar
panels…advanced
MERV/HVAC….light filled
with natural materials.”
“...accessibility
through the front door
is important.”
Accessibility
System Upgrades Building Performance Finishes Egress/Safety City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
Space Use
Meeting & Hearing Rooms
Between Council, Commissions and
Boards, the City hosts over 350 public
meetings every year. Currently City
Council meetings are held at the BUSD
board room on Addison Street, and
most other meetings are held in various
locations around Berkeley. Providing
new meeting spaces in Civic Center
will create a central building in the City
of Berkeley that is a symbol of citizen
involvement in governance.
Creation of a multi-purpose hearing
room or meeting space similar in size
to that of BUSD’s Board Room will
require an addition to the Maudelle
Shirek Building, best located on the
west side or behind the building.
As a two-story structure, this new
addition could house the large multi-
purpose hearing room with seating for
over 200, plus an expanded public lobby
on the first floor. This level could also
contain multiple support spaces for the
hearing room - closed session meeting
rooms, AV support, restrooms, storage,
and more. Near the entry, two small
meeting rooms can be used by City
staff, commissions, and the public.
The historic meeting room on the
second floor could be refurbished for
smaller meetings of around 70 people.
A proposed second small hearing room
on the north wing could hold over 100
occupants and the south wing could be
divided into two additional meeting rooms.
51%
of respondents
support returning
Council
Chambers
Uppsala Town Hall, Sweden
Historic Hearing Room, Maudelle Shirek Building
119
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
FIRST FLOOR (14,400 SF)
Large Hearing Room (200-300 people)
Council Support Spaces
Small Meeting Rooms (10-20 people)
SECOND FLOOR (6,500 SF)
Small Hearing Rooms (70-120 people)
Large Meeting Rooms (20-30 people)
GROUND FLOOR (16,350 SF)
ATTIC (not shown)
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
Space Use
Public-Facing City Services
An approach to bringing more residents
into the governing process is to provide
opportunities for interaction with
government in action. Public engagement
participants reacted positively to the idea
of co-locating public-facing city services
with the hearing and meeting rooms in
the Maudelle Shirek Building to achieve
this result.
The large high-ceilinged spaces to either
side of the lobby on the first floor could
serve as public-facing city departments,
such as the Customer Service Center or
Vital Records.
The two wings total approximately
3250 SF, providing ample space for a
reception area, offices, and other support
functions. In a future specific design
phase, additional programming work
with city staff is required to determine
which public-facing City uses are most
appropriate for supporting foot traffic,
and the real space needs of the selected
department.
44%
of respondents
support city
services being
located here
“center for civic life…a
one stop shop for the
general public…. ”
Public Lobby at Devente City Hall, Netherlands
Leiden City Hall Lobby, Netherlands
121
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
FIRST FLOOR (14,400 SF)
Reception Areas
Offices
Conference Rooms
Support Spaces
SECOND FLOOR (6,500 SF)
GROUND FLOOR (16,350 SF)
FIRST FLOOR (14,400 SF)
Large Hearing Room (200-300 people)
Council Support Spaces
Small Meeting Rooms (10-20 people)
SECOND FLOOR (6,500 SF)
Small Hearing Rooms (70-120 people)
Large Meeting Rooms (20-30 people)
GROUND FLOOR (16,350 SF)
ATTIC (not shown)
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept- Maudelle Shirek Building
Space Use
Berkeley Historical Society &
Museum
The Historical Society envisions a
museum that “engages visitors of all
ages in learning what has made Berkeley
‘Berkeley,’ and showcases the City as a
place where ideas emerge that influence
the rest of the country and the world.”
Providing a source of information and
inspiration for the current participants
in the City’s government is a strong use
of the space that aligns with the vision of
the Civic Center as the heart of civic life
in Berkeley. The public halls and lobbies
of the Maudelle Shirek Building could
host rotating exhibits that can be explored
either as a visitor or while waiting to
attend a public meeting or for a turn at
the customer service desk.
On the ground floor, a permanent exhibit,
research room, offices, and exhibit
preparation room are proposed. Archival
storage could be located either off-site, in
an improved attic, or on the ground floor
of the building, depending on other space
needs.
Controlling access between the exhibits
and more secure spaces of the building
could present a conflict, and would need
to be carefully managed. Sources for
funding a museum expansion should be
further studied.
African American Museum & Library, Oakland CA
Square Headquarters, San Francisco CA
70%
of respondents
support Berkeley
Historical Society
& Museum at
MSB
123
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
FIRST FLOOR (14,400 SF)
Exhibition Space
SECOND FLOOR (6,500 SF)
Exhibition Space
GROUND FLOOR (16,350 SF)
Exhibit Prep Room
Offices
Research Room
Exhibition Space
(Alternate Archive location)
ATTIC (not shown)
(Alternate Archive location)
Design Concept- Maudelle Shirek Building
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
Space Use
Berkeley Community Media
BCM serves multiple functions related
to the city government. They broadcast
city meetings, including Council,
ZAB and Rent Stabilization meetings;
they work with governmental non-
profits and politicians; and they offer
support in developing Public Service
Announcements. Their internship
program teaches students media literacy
and production technology.
BCM’s space needs are substantial,
and many of them are single-use. They
currently operate mostly through funding
from the City and grants. Their mission
and function are well aligned with
returning public meeting spaces to the
building, and with the larger vision of the
Civic Center.
BCM’s space needs include a
broadcast studio which can double
as a press conference room which
is a complementary use to Council
Chambers with similar controlled access
requirements. BCM also needs smaller
studio spaces, editing suites, offices,
lounge and kitchenette.
David Brower Center, Berkeley CA
Marwen Classroom, Chicago IL
44%
of respondents
support
Berkeley
Community
Media at MSB
125
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
FIRST FLOOR (14,400 SF)
Broadcast Studio
SECOND FLOOR (6,500 SF)
GROUND FLOOR (16,350 SF)
Offices
Editing Suite
Small Studios
Lounge/Kitchenette
FIRST FLOOR (14,400 SF)
Large Hearing Room (200-300 people)
Council Support Spaces
Small Meeting Rooms (10-20 people)
SECOND FLOOR (6,500 SF)
Small Hearing Rooms (70-120 people)
Large Meeting Rooms (20-30 people)
GROUND FLOOR (16,350 SF)
ATTIC (not shown)
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
Public Policy Institute
The idea of a public policy institute is
being actively pursued by members of
the City Council and Community for
Cultural Civic Center (CCCC). The concept
is to integrate a public policy education
center into the Maudelle Shirek Building
to interface with City policy makers,
City staff and the public. Goals of this
partnership would be to support the
development of future decision makers,
and to help secure funding with an
educational institution.
While this idea did not draw a lot of public
support, multiple respondents expressed
a desire to learn more about the concept.
A benefit of a partnership with a university
or higher education organization at this
location would be bringing a younger age
group into the building on a regular basis.
The space needs for this function are
minimal, and spaces such as meeting
rooms and classrooms could be shared
with the other uses proposed for the
building.
Space Use I’d like to see see more active
uses…perhaps some sort of
partnership with UC to bring
new energy and researchers
to the building?”
UC Berkeley Durant Hall, Berkeley CA
Offices on second floor of Maudelle Shirek Building
“... provide open
doors & programs for
all citizens to be
inspired, to learn, to
act.”
127
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
FIRST FLOOR (14,400 SF)
SECOND FLOOR (6,500 SF)
GROUND FLOOR (16,350 SF)
Offices
Classrooms
Meeting Room
ATTIC (not shown)
Design Concept - Maudelle Shirek Building
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - Veterans Memorial Building
129
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Design Concept - Veterans Memorial Building
5.4 Veterans
Memorial Building
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Deisgn Concept - Veteran Memorials Building
Veterans Memorial Building-
Community Arts Center
5.4 The public, Berkeley’s arts community,
Civic Arts Commission, and the Civic
Arts Program broadly support the use
of the Veterans Memorial Building as
a Community Arts Center. To ensure
that the building is a shared resource
and platform for creative expression
accessible to all, the Community Arts
Center would be owned and operated
by the City of Berkeley for the benefit
of our community. Community need
demonstrates that the Veterans Memorial
Building could be active throughout the
day, every day of the week, presenting
and hosting all types of arts organizations
and artists across all disciplines including
music, theater, dance, visual arts, literary
arts, and more.
New art functions may require additions,
particularly related to the stage. Further
study with arts
organizations, Civic Arts staff, related
commissions and the interested public is
required to determine the detailed space
needs and the best way to meet them.In a
survey with local arts organizations who
expressed interest in using the building,
many expressed interest in utilizing all
the spaces that the VMB has to offer for
public programming. These takeaways
align with the perception of need in the
general public survey responses.
Veterans Memorial Building is very
desirable as an arts center:
• Downtown, central location near arts
district and transit is very appealing to
arts groups.
• Multi-unit residential buildings are
located nearby; VMB is accessible by
walking.
• Historic structure with tall ceilings and
natural light. Architectural features
worth preserving.
• Unique flexible spaces and smaller
performance spaces for 100–200
audience members.
• Adjacent to park, where outdoor
performances could be located
• Relationship to nearby educational
facilities – BHS and BCC.
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Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Deisgn Concept - Veteran Memorials Building
42%
of arts survey
respondents
support
exhibition space
45%
of public survey
respondents
prioritized arts
exhibition
49%
of arts survey
respondents
support a
concert hall
48%
of public survey
respondents
prioritized music
performance
47%
of arts survey
respondents
support a large
auditorium
37%
of public survey
respondents
prioritized
theater
performance
42%
of arts survey
respondents
support
exhibition space
45%
of public survey
respondents
prioritized arts
exhibition
49%
of arts survey
respondents
support a
concert hall
48%
of public survey
respondents
prioritized music
performance
47%
of arts survey
respondents
support a large
auditorium
37%
of public survey
respondents
prioritized
theater
performance
42%
of arts survey
respondents
support
exhibition space
45%
of public survey
respondents
prioritized arts
exhibition
49%
of arts survey
respondents
support a
concert hall
48%
of public survey
respondents
prioritized music
performance
47%
of arts survey
respondents
support a large
auditorium
37%
of public survey
respondents
prioritized
theater
performance Existing Conditions
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Deisgn Concept - Veteran Memorials Building
Seismic Improvements:
Building Performance
Objective for New Buildings
Plus
Approach: City’s Public Works
Department recommends a seismic
upgrade for the Veterans Memorial
Building to the level of Building
Performance Objective for New Buildings
Plus (BPON+) by strengthening the
existing diaphragms and improving floor-
to-wall and wall-to-roof connections, and
reinforcing select areas with shotcrete or
carbon fiber.
At this level of seismic retrofit, the
building may experience some localized
structural damage with low risk of injury,
and could be reoccupied several months
to a year after a major seismic event.
Discussion: In its current condition,
the building does not meet modern
seismic codes, and as such is not fully
occupied. Improvements can be made to
the building to reach BPON+ by utilizing
the structure of the existing building
which would minimize the disturbance of
historic finishes.
Prior to the 2020 Vision Plan, the City
investigated two approaches - Building
Performance Objective for Existing
Buildings (BPOE), a lower standard,
and Immediate Occupancy (IO), a higher
standard.
A second seismic upgrade report
prepared by Tipping Structural Engineers
in 2021 proposed an upgrade to meet
Building Performance Objective for
New Building standards (or BPON+).
The report also proposed a buttressing
solution that reached a higher standard
(Damage Control+).
Additions & Improvements
133
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Deisgn Concept - Veteran Memorials Building
Seismic Improvement Locations
SECOND FLOOR (5,900 SF)
FIRST FLOOR (10,000 SF)
BASEMENT (9,300 SF)
ROOFTOP (4,000 SF)
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Deisgn Concept - Veteran Memorials Building
Additions
While the proposed seismic buttresses
in the DC+ retrofit could be incorporated
into additional space on the rear of the
east and west wings, the results of arts
organization engagement showed a real
need for additional space on either side
of the stage in the large auditorium.
Proposed uses include a loading dock,
additional backstage and greenroom
spaces, a new vertical access core to the
basement level, and storage for scenery.
The layout of a possible addition will be
further explored by the design team in
this effort.
Other Improvements
A specific design will need to address
other required improvements. These
include new mechanical, electrical,
lighting and plumbing systems to bring
them into compliance with current
building code and City policy. The City
of Berkeley is committed to converting
buildings to all-electric, including this
historic structure. Relatedly, energy
production through solar panels on the
roof should be explored. Improvements
and repairs to the building envelope
(enclosure) will help to stabilize the
structure. All of this work taken together
will result in a more sustainable and
resilient building.
Accessibility upgrades will be required
throughout the building, including a new
and more gracious accessible entry ramp
sequence, a modern elevator core, and
adjustment of doors and other elements
to meet accessible clearance and reach
requirements.
Egress from the building does not comply
with modern fire codes, in particular
from the basement level. Proper exit
separations and paths will need to be
added. Additional exits from rooms and
out to the public right of way will need to
be created.
All of these changes will need to be
addressed while respecting the historic
nature of the building, and meeting
Secretary of the Interior standards for
historic preservation. As a part of that
effort, the historic finishes will need
repairs and restoration, and non-historic
elements will be replaced with modern,
healthy and resilient materials.
135
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Deisgn Concept - Veteran Memorials Building
Accessibility Finishes Egress/Safety
Building Performance
System Upgrades
“Please make sure
gender-neutral
bathrooms are
included.”
“it needs to appear
more open, accessible,
inviting and
welcoming”
“...refurbish front doors
and restrooms so visitors
have a more pleasant
experience.”
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - Veteran Memorials Building
Space Use
Program Spaces
Arts Survey participants and the public
all noted a need for for multi-disciplinary
spaces available to rent by the larger
community.
During the focus group session,
participants more specifically described
a need for flexible, multi-use spaces that
can support all types of performances,
exhibitions, classes, screenings, studios,
conferences, panel discussions, and
readings.
The layout of the large auditorium should
be carefully considered to maintain
flexibility. Ideas discussed include
lowering the stage, creating additions
to the east and west for more backstage
space, and deployable risers to allow for
many performance configurations.
Some of the smaller lodge rooms on the
first floor might have specific functions - a
municipal gallery on the west side and a
classroom that supports visual arts with
storage and sinks on the east side. Others
can remain flexible open spaces.
Shawl-Anderson Dance Company
View to stage at Veterans Memorial Building
44%
of arts survey
respondents
support
rehearsal space
30%
of arts survey
respondents
support class
or workshop
spaces
137
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
SECOND FLOOR (5,900 SF)
Small Performance
Balcony
Backstage areas
Learning Lab
FIRST FLOOR (10.000 SF)
Auditorium
Gallery/Visual Arts rooms
Stage & Backstage areas
BASEMENT (9,300 SF)
Mechanical/Crawl Space
72 Flexible performance
space, supporting
multiple stage/audience
arrangements
Artist studio,
artist-in-residence
programs
Expand stage wings to
west and east, creating
loading dock, backstage,
access to basement
Small performance
spaces in east and
west lodge rooms
ROOFTOP (4,000 SF)
Design Concept - Veteran Memorials Building
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Design Concept - Veteran Memorials Building
Space Use
Support Spaces
Transforming the Veterans Memorial
Building into a successful arts center will
require significant and high-quality space
dedicated to support functions.
One major support function mentioned
by the participants in the focus group
was the ability to host donor events in
a large downtown space. During the
2020 Vision Plan, a rooftop event space
was suggested, an approach that will be
further studies by the design team as part
of this phase.
Spaces between the east and west
wings on the first and second floor
can accommodate offices, restrooms,
storage, and other support spaces
required for hosting classes, events, and
performances in the venue.
The large open area on the basement
level could be repurposed for any number
of back-of-house functions including a
stage shop and additional backstage and
practice spaces for groups renting the large
auditorium.
Back-of-house types of uses include:
• Dressing/Changing rooms
• Offices
• Rehearsals
• Storage for productions and facility
• Storage for City’s public art collection
Studio Gang Island in the Sky, Chicago IL
139
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Design Concept - Veteran Memorials Building
SECOND FLOOR (5,900 SF)
Storage Space
Restrooms
FIRST FLOOR (10,000 SF)
Offices
Restrooms
Box Office
BASEMENT (9,300 SF)
Commercial Kitchen
Stage/Scenery Shop
Restrooms
Storage
Box office with
increased
transparency to street
and entry porch
Basement not for public
access – City Civic Arts
spaces, or rented with large
auditorium
ROOFTOP (4,000 SF)
Event Space
Rooftop Terrace
Rooftop event space
for banquets and
community gatherings
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Cost Summary
6
141
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Cost Summary
Cost
Summary
6.1 Preliminary Cost Ranges
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Cost Summary - Preliminary Cost Ranges
Preliminary Cost Ranges
6.1 An updated cost estimate will be completed by TBD Cost Estimators after the integration of City Council feedback, and prior to the completion of the final report in June 2023.
Preliminary cost ranges provided in this report are based on information from:
• 2020 BCC Vision & Implementation Plan
• Tipping Structural Engineers
• Berkeley Public Works Department
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Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Cost Summary - Preliminary Cost Ranges
BERKELEY CIVIC CENTER
High Level Construction Cost Estimate RANGES - PRELIMINARY To be updated by construction cost estimator following City Council Work session 3/21/23 DRAFT - 3/7/2023
Low ($Million) high ($Million)
Maudelle Shirek Building -- 27,500 g.s.f. existing building + 15,500 g.s.f. addition $54.107 $70.558 Seismic Retrofit - Immediate Occupancy (or near Immediate Occupancy) $25.000 $35.000 Envelope, Systems (inc Electrification), Accessibility, all other building upgrades & finishes $11.000 $13.750 Two story addition on west side $15.500 $18.600
Site improvements & utilities $2.607 $3.208
Veterans Memorial Building -- 28,000 s.f. existing building + 4000 s.f. roof terrace $34.045 $41.475 Seismic Retrofit - BPON+ (or Better Performance Objective for New Buildings) $14.000 $19.000 Envelope, Systems (inc Electrification), Accessibility, all other building upgrades & finishes $19.565 $16.555 Roof terrace (including 1,500 s.f. enclosure & 2,500 s.f. roof deck) in HIGH only $0 $5.200 Site improvements (paved areas in back for loading/service) & utilities $0.480 $0.720 NOTE: No addition to VMB included
Martin Luther King Jr Civic Center Park & Streets -- 203,000 s.f. (4.6 acres) $12.902 $16.594 Paths and paving, planting and irrigation, new trees and tree protection, utilities, $11.152 $14.194 furnishings and bollards, infrastructure and lighting, playground and skate spot, other park and street specialty items such as bulb outs, green infrastructure, crosswalks Improvements to 2180 Milvia western entry, VMB entry and public restrooms in Park $1.750 $2.400 NOTE: Creek Daylighting not included
TOTAL ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST $101.054 $128.627
Low ($Million) high ($Million)
Construction Cost Estimate
NOTES:
1. Cost ranges are escalated assuming start of construction in 2028.
2. Cost r
anges do not include:
• Soft cost - design fees, permit fees
• Contingencies
• LEED or other rating systems
• Surge/moving costs
• Photovoltaic systems
• AV/IT equipment
• Utility connections
• Existing conditions reports and surveys
• Operations and maintenance costs
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Implementation
7
7.1 Organizational Management Structure
7.2 Recommended Next Steps
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Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Implementation
Implementation
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Implementation - Organizational Management Structure
Organization
Management Structures
7.1 Maudelle Shirek Building -
The Seat of Berkeley’s
Democracy
The project team recommends a City-
owned and operated model for the
Maudelle Shirek Building.
With the primary uses being city and
public meeting rooms, and city offices,
control of the building should remain
within the City. This will ensure that
the meeting spaces are available to all
citizens of Berkeley, aligning with the
Vision Statement’s ideal of a place of
shared resources and platform for free
expression for all.
To proceed into a specific design
phase, the City will need to create
formal partnernships with the selected
vision-aligned non-profits. How space
is allocated in the final design will be
impacted by both the space needs and
the available funding of these non-profit
Baltmannsweiler Council Chambers , Germany
147
Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Implementation - Organizational Management Structure
Geldrop-Mierlo Town Hall, Netherlands Existing Conditions at Maudelle Shirek City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Implementation - Organizational Management Structure
Veterans Memorial Building -
Municipal Arts Center
A shared resource and platform for
creative expression accessible to all.
The project team recommends a City-
owned and operated model for the
Veterans Memorial Building.
The design team and Civic Arts staff
explored two approaches to the
management of the Veterans Memorial
Building: a City-run arts space or an
anchor tenant-run arts space.
Taking into consideration the community
support for an open and accessible
arts center, the Vision Statement, and
the desire to maximize the activation
of the Civic Center, the project team is
recommending a City-run Art Center, and
envisions an organizational structure that
supports performances in the evenings,
classes for adults and students during
the day, and afterschool and weekend
programs for children.
To understand how this model will
function, Civic Arts staff are holding
outreach meetings with local examples of
municipal-run cultural and arts centers.
From these conversations, the project
team is researching how others have
operated and maintained spaces that
are accessible to the community for use
while also generating revenue to support
operations. The research includes
learning about what programs generate
revenue, what level of staffing and
management is required, how programs
are selected for the facilities, and what
operating budgets include for this type of
facility.
The long-term management and staffing
of Veterans Memorial Building and its
associated programs need to be better
defined through further study. The
Civic Arts staff will coordinate with their
colleagues in the Parks, Recreation and
Waterfront Department for successful
models and lessons learned on other
City-owned and operated facilities and
programs.
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Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Implementation - Organizational Management Structure
Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek
Palo Alto Art center
Studio One Art Center , Oakland
“A public arts space
open to all artists.”
“...a space for
community arts of all
kinds - and for all age
groups”
“..bring in revenue to
maintain the
building.”
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Siegel & Strain Architects
Implementation - Next Steps
Recommended Next Steps
7. 2
As the City continues to develop a funding
and long term implementation plans
for the Civic Center Park, surrounding
streets, the Maudelle Shirek Building
and the Veterans Memorial Building,
immediate steps for improvements are
offered as a way to initiate improvements
and enhance the Civic Center experience.
Some of these steps can be undertaken in
collaboration with vision-aligned partners
and non-profit organizations.
Early Activation Projects
To offer a better experience of the Civic
Center Park, the City and City partners
could fund early activation projects
that reinvigorate the Park in advance of
more significant future improvements,
including:
• Installation of new furnishings,
including tables and seating or picnic
tables with benches, specifically
selected and placed for lunch time use
• Introduction of pop-up food vendor
events and/or food trucks during the
weekdays
• Installation of new tree protection
elements
• Biodiversity enhancement through new
plantings
• Lighting and path repairs and
upgrades
• Restroom repairs and upgrades
• Review of current special events
needs and lease agreements for Civic
Center Park, considering changes to
agreements specific to this Park
• Increase funding for Park operations
and maintenance
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Berkeley’s Civic Center Design Concept
Implementation - Next Steps
Future Studies
Additional information is needed to
support specific design projects for the
Civic Center P
ark, surrounding streets,
Maudelle Shirek Building and Veterans
Memorial Building. These include:
• Creek Study for daylighting Strawberry
Creek in the Civic Center area.
Recently the City submitted a grant
pre-application to the California
Coastal Conservancy for funding of
this effort and while the application
reviewers were excited about the
project “because of the ecological and
community benefits”, they suggested
the City apply to the Urban Greening
program at the California Natural
Resources Agency.
• Traffic Study to identify impacts to
traffic flow of daylighting the creek and
reduced parking on Center Street and
MLK Jr Way.
• Topographic Survey of the Civic Center
Park and surrounding streets
• Updated Arborist Report for Civic
Center and surround street trees
• Tree Succession Plan
• As-Built drawings & Existing Condition
reports for buildings
Longer Term Efforts
Prior to the implementation of specific
project design and construction efforts,
the City may consider:
• Establish relationships with potential
non-profit partners and funding
entities to engage in a capital
improvement campaign
• Develop funding plans for each of
the constituent projects – the Park,
surround streets and the historic
structures
• If necessary, stabilize the historic
structures, which will depend
on the timing of the funding and
implementation plans
• Initiate specific design projects,
including documentation of detailed
spatial programming
City Council Work Session
March 2023
Implementation
Siegel & Strain Architects
Communications
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public record. Communications are not published directly to the City’s website. Copies of individual communications are available for viewing at the City Clerk Department and through Records Online.
City Clerk Department
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Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 981-6900
Records Online
https://records.cityofberkeley.info/
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