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Options for the making the U Building safe in an earthquake, including possible demolition, were discussed at a Board of Trustees study session on Oct. 20. The tentative estimate of the cost totals $80 million.PCC President Mark Rocha emphasized that the options were what officials have been examining.

“The critical path is we need to get science and health out of the U Building by summer,” said Rocha.

The most effective of the options, according to the presentation, is to move out of the building while a new one is constructed.

The proposed cost of $15 million is for temporary space for the occupants to move into. The cost to replace the U Building is an estimate of $65 million.

The total $80 million could be partially funded by $50 million dollars available from existing Measure P money leftover after the construction of the Center for the Arts building and other set-asides, according to Rocha.

“We are not saying take that $50 million out and use it. We are just saying it’s there,” said Rocha.

Vice President of Administrative Services Rick van Pelt prepared the report. It detailed what two architectural firms, Dasse Design and Amarr Studios, concluded regarding the seismic safety of the building. The steel members within the structure are likely to flex more than if they were designed to the standard within newer building codes, according to the Dasse Design report.

The report prepared by Amarr Studios highlighted that corrective action to address the issue should occur as soon as possible.

“It comes down to low probability, high impact events where the potential failures may take place,” said van Pelt.

The report detailed five options for temporary space including the Pasadena Unified School District Education Center, a vacant lot adjacent to the Community Education Center, portable classrooms located on student parking lots, St. Lukes hospital in northeast Pasadena, and other available property in the district.

More information regarding the St. Lukes is pending a signed confidentiality agreement with the property owner.

Student Trustee Nolan Pack voiced concern for off campus classrooms impacting student performance.

“I wonder if moving those too far away would be disruptive to the learning environment in some ways because students would have to focus so much energy to moving themselves far away from the campus,” said Pack.

One of the other options includes removing and replacing the steel structure which would involve nighttime construction so the ventilation system could be shut down to prevent the spread of asbestos. This option would take over three years to complete.

Another option proposed building an “exoskeleton” on the exterior that would prevent excessive movement during an earthquake, according to the report. The option was rejected due to “unacceptably high” costs.

A point of contention between the Board and van Pelt was whether or not the building could be retrofitted in order to qualify for state funding.

In order to request emergency funding from the state Chancellor’s office, the building would be required to maintain the same square footage per classroom and an almost identical configuration, according to van Pelt.

In the report he states that the option would take several years and the outcome is far from certain.

Trustee Jeanette Mann requested more information on the process of receiving state funding from the Chancellor’s office.

“I don’t see why we just completely dismissed seeking state funding,” Mann said. She took issue with the statement of an uncertain outcome.

“It’s kind of a negative presentation of it,” said Mann.

Other options for funding include borrowing cash, conducting a capital campaign appealing to the high profile alumni much like the Center for the Arts fundraising campaign, or a combination of all of these.

“What you’re likely to see as a final recommendation from us is a parallel strategy where you pursue every option and see who sends the check first,” said Rocha.

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