UC Berkeley Extension signed a 10-year lease for new headquarters in the Golden Bear Building on University Avenue in downtown Berkeley beginning July 1.
The lease allows extension to consolidate its Berkeley operations and provide space for sorely needed classrooms.
"We're pleased that our new headquarters will be in the Golden Bear Building. It means we will be able to function more efficiently and provide new daytime classrooms and meeting rooms while remaining in downtown Berkeley," said Mary Metz, dean of extension.
Extension is a self-supporting unit of the campus and offers day, evening and weekend courses, including a range of certificate programs, in its charge to provide lifelong learning.
Its popularity has led to rapid growth and severe overcrowding.
The new lease for 40,000 square feet on the first, second and third floor of the Golden Bear Building at 1995 University Ave. will house facilities now located in a university-owned building at 2223 Fulton St. and at offices scattered around the downtown.
Other occupants of the Fulton building, including the Institute of East Asian Studies and the Chinese Studies Library, will remain in their present locations.
Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean welcomed the continued presence of extension in the downtown, noting that it plays a substantial economic role in the area. "UC Berkeley Extension is an important component in the vital city-university link," said Dean.
Extension generated $28 million in revenue in 1993-94.
In addition, said Metz, the courses in Berkeley served 15,450 adult students "who parked, bought meals, snacks, books, supplies and other goods when they came to class."