Golden State Today

UC Berkeley has released preliminary costs related to the closure of People's Park for the construction of housing for students and unhoused individuals, as well as a revitalized park space. The campus spent approximately $16.1 million since August 2022 to secure the site and provide support services.

According to UC Berkeley, the costs for the January operation include $2.85 million to build a perimeter around the site, $3.77 million for law enforcement operations, and $1.16 million for transitional housing and support services at the Quality Inn. The campus is still awaiting invoices from external law enforcement agencies that provided support during the operation.

Campus leaders emphasized the necessity of these measures due to the outbreak of violence and vandalism during the initial attempt to close the park in August 2022. The total expenses are in line with a project that may exceed $400 million.

In addition to the recent costs, UC Berkeley incurred expenses in 2022, including $4.4 million to secure the site and $3.6 million for housing and support services. The final $128,000 of the $16.1 million tally was for various permits and parking spaces paid to the city of Berkeley.

The construction on the site is pending a ruling from the California Supreme Court, after which work on student housing and the public park is expected to begin. Despite the challenges faced during the closure operations, preliminary data shows a decrease in serious crimes reported in the neighborhood surrounding People's Park compared to previous years.

The campus is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students and local residents throughout the closure process.