Tightwad Hill Lawsuit Settled

UC Berkeley and a group known as Save Tightwad Hill! have agreed to a settlement in an 18-month-old lawsuit challenging the University's Environmental Impact Report for planned improvements to California Memorial Stadium and other elements of the Southeast Campus Integrated Projects. Tightwad Hill is an area east of Memorial Stadium where, according to the group, people have enjoyed free views of football games since early in the Stadium's history. The Stadium was completed in 1923.

The planned third and final phase of the Memorial Stadium project calls for modernizing fan amenities on the east side of the historic venue, including improvements to access, circulation, restrooms, concessions and potentially the construction of a new elevated seating structure on the east rim of the Stadium.

Following the UC Regents' certification of the EIR in December, 2006, Save Tightwad Hill! filed suit in Alameda County Superior Court, contending that the report did not consider the possible adverse effects of the planned seating structure on views of the playing field from Tightwad Hill. The suit further contended that the report did not adequately consider the effect that blocked views would have on the cultural and historical value of Tightwad Hill.

The parties have agreed to an informal process that commits the University to confer with and to consider input from the group regarding design options for the east seating structure in order to avoid, to the extent feasible, obstruction of views of the field from Tightwad Hill.

"We are pleased to be able to put this issue aside for now and discuss the concerns in a more measured and cooperative way once planning for Phase 3 commences,” said Bob Milano Jr., assistant athletic director for capital planning and management. “We all agree this is at least several years away."

"We are avid supporters of Cal Football and the whole athletic program, so we are pleased that the University has listened to our concerns," added Dan Sicular, Cal alumnus ('81) and chairman of the Save Tightwad Hill! central committee. "We are heartened that the University has stated its intent to work with us to preserve this unique football tradition, and we look forward to a great season."

Save Tightwad Hill! is one of four plaintiffs to challenge the EIR for the Southeast Campus Integrated Projects. This case, which will be dismissed as part of the settlement agreement, is separate from the consolidated suits filed by the City of Berkeley, the California Oaks Foundation and the Panoramic Hill Association, which are still pending final resolution.

Contact: Dan Sicular, Save Tightwad Hill 415-717-6328; dan@tightwadhill.org

Dan Mogulof, UC Berkeley Office of Public Affairs, 510-642-3715