UC policy requires that presidents and chancellors live in university-provided facilities in support of the many receptions, business meetings, entertaining and other ceremonial and administrative duties they are required to perform as part of their job (www.universityofcalifornia.edu/regents/policies/7708.pdf).
Blake House, a 13,000-square-foot building four miles north of the UC Berkeley campus, was built in the 1920s and donated to UC Berkeley in 1957 for university meetings and events, as part of a 10-acre public park. In 1969, the building was made available for use as a presidential residence, and approximately one-third of the facility has been used as personal living quarters by some, but not all, UC presidents and their families during the past decades.
Because of its age and significant deferred maintenance issues, Blake House suffers from a variety of condition problems, including the fact that it sits on an active geologic slide, which causes continual foundation movement and related structural issues. It is in need of not only major repairs but also constant care as decades-old systems and materials continually degrade.
In 2002, a professional engineering firm was retained to evaluate the condition of Blake House and concluded that approximately $7 million in major repairs would be needed in order to restore Blake House to a suitable condition. Adjusting for inflation, the needed repairs and renovations are now estimated at $8 million to $9 million.
Because of these circumstances, the Yudof family will not be living in Blake House and alternative housing arrangements were sought.
The 24-month lease authorized today (May 15) will be for a home in Oakland with approximately 6,800 square feet to be used for official university events and as a personal residence for Mr. Yudof and his wife. The house and its furnishings will be leased for $11,360 per month, increasing to $11,750 per month in the second year. An average additional $2,025 per month is expected to be paid for utilities, gardening, garbage collection and related services.
A comprehensive professional assessment of the condition of Blake House is under way. This assessment will then be made available to the UC Berkeley campus and to the Board of Regents in order to help determine appropriate future uses for Blake House.
The action approving the lease agreement was taken under interim authority by the chair of the board and the chairs of the Regents' finance and compensation committees, in accordance with UC policy, given the need to secure housing in advance of Yudof's arrival at UC next month.