Community Engagement Project Seeks Input on Historic Alameda High School

By Jeff Cambra

The Alameda Unified School District is looking for community input to help determine what to do with the seismically unsafe portions of several buildings that make up the historic Alameda High School complex.

In 2012, the AUSD board voted to vacate the building in response to concerns raised by the California Department of State Architecture regarding a possible collapse during a major seismic event.

A barrier fence was erected to protect students and the public from possible falling debris if an earthquake did occur.

“The District’s primary concern is the safety of our students, staff, and the community,” said Robert Shemwell, Chief Business Officer for the District. “The Board now needs to decide what to do with the buildings.”

In order to make that decision, the District hired Jeff Cambra, a local resident and professional facilitator, to lead a series of public meetings to present factual, cultural, and historical information about the buildings and survey residents to see how they want the buildings to be used.

“I am looking for organizations and residents that are interested in contributing to the discussion,” said Cambra.

He has identified and invited over 40 groups to participate in the meetings.

Alice Lai-Bitker, former Alameda County supervisor, joins Cambra on the project and will represent individual resident interests, including any who wish to contribute anonymously.

Lai-Bitker’s role is somewhat unique in the community engagement process.

“I will be speaking for different members of the community that may have opposing views," she said. "You could hear me advocate for renovating all the buildings for a new high school and later say that some members of the community want to demolish the unsafe buildings. It is a very challenging role."

This is not the first time the historic buildings have been the subject of community input. District records dating back to the 1940’s reveal that the condition of the historic high school was discussed repeatedly and each time plans for upgrading the buildings were abandoned due to cost and available funding.

This happened again in the mid 1970’s. The Kofman Auditorium and center portion of the building it is in was retrofitted in the 1990’s and is currently compliant with state building codes and safe for students to occupy.

The public meetings will begin on April 11 with an education and fact-finding presentation. Two meetings to collect options and suggestions for future uses will be held on Monday, April 15 and Saturday, April 20. The final meeting will be a presentation of shared interests on Thursday, May 9.

All meetings will be held at the Alameda High School Cafeteria located at the corner of Central Ave. and Walnut St. and begin at 6 p.m., except for the Saturday meeting, which starts at 1 p.m.

For additional information or to contribute to the discussion, please contact Jeff Cambra at jeffcambra@earthlink.net.