$620,000 for Blake House repairs approved by UC Regents

SAN FRANCISCO — The University of California Board of Regents has approved a total of $620,000 in renovations and maintenance to update the historic UC presidential residence in Contra Costa County.

The Blake House in Kensington, built in 1924 and donated to the UC in 1957, has served traditionally as the residence of the University president, until 2008.

Outgoing UC President Mark Yudof chose not to live in the Blake House upon beginning the position in 2008 because it was estimated to need almost $10 million in repairs, as reported by The Bay Citizen in San Francisco. He instead lived in a 10,000-square foot house paid for by the UC, which also caused controversy.

Incoming UC President Janet Napolitano will reside in an Oakland home leased at $9,950 a month. The two-year lease costs the University less than Yudof’s home, which is $12,500 per month. The University will also provide Napolitano with a yearly $8,916 car allowance and a one-time $142,500 allowance for moving expenses, UC officials confirmed today.

The president needs a house that can accommodate and host donor, staff and guest functions as part of the job, Yudof said in an interview with the Daily Bruin in August.

With the approval from the board today, the 13,000-square foot Blake House will undergo $250,000 of preliminary renovations, repairs and seismic improvements. Deferred maintenance funds of $370,000 were also approved.

Officials also looked at purchasing a new presidential residence, but none appropriate could be found for less than $5 million, according to the board’s agenda item.

Full repairs, including the preliminary updates funded today, are expected to reach between $3.5 million and $6 million.

Compiled by Katherine Hafner, Bruin senior staff.