On July 7, 2022, a meeting was held between the Peralta Community College District and the City of Berkeley Mayor's Office to discuss the Berkeley City College expansion project at 2118 Milvia Street. The PCCD Bond Program Team hosted the meeting as part of the Bond Program Outreach Community Partner Series, briefing the City of Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín and Vice Mayor Kate Harrison and other Mayor's Office staff including Dyana Delfín Polk, who serves as Vice President of the Peralta Board of Trustees. District leadership in attendance included Dr. Jannett Jackson (Interim Chancellor), Atheria Smith (Interim Vice Chancellor of General Services), Mark Johnson (Executive Director of Marketing, Communication & Public Relations), Dr. Angelíca Garcia (Berkeley City College President), and Sean Brooks (Berkeley City College Vice President of Administration).
Interim Chancellor Dr. Jackson provided the welcome and expressed gratitude to the voter community who helped make this project possible.
"In November of 2018, Northern Alameda County voters overwhelmingly approved Measure G by a vote of 75%. Peralta District’s request was for $800 million in general obligation bonds to facilitate improvements or modernization of existing facilities, construction, and technology enhancements," said Dr. Jackson. "On behalf of the District, we're indebted to the members of the Alameda County community for its massive support of our bond initiatives over the last several years, and we're grateful for that continued hope and trust the community has placed with us in our mission to provide accessible high-quality education and career training and workforce development. By doing so we're creating opportunities for our students in our community to better themselves and their lives. ”
During the presentation, Bond Program Manager, Sharon Serrano (AECOM) presented an overview of the Bond Program and current funding and expenditures to date. Construction Manager, Jeremy Bordi (Kitchell) presented schematic designs, project timeline, and forecasted plan to address impacts on the local community and neighbors.
City of Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín commented, “I'm just so glad this is moving forward. I remember when I first heard about this at the beginning of my term as mayor, and it's just great to see the reference point. I was definitely in support of the bond measure back in 2018. We look forward to seeing this beautiful new building that's going to provide additional academic space for many students for years to come.”
PCCD’s Bond Program Community Partner Briefings introduce local business organizations to the Bond Program, providing community awareness of the bond program’s benefits and addressing stakeholder questions.
Past presentations: Rotary Club of Alameda, Oakland Uptown Rotary, Piedmont/Montclair Rotary, Downtown Berkeley Association, Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, Alameda Chamber of Commerce, and West Alameda Business Association.
For additional information on the District’s Bond Program - visit build.peralta.edu.