[Farm93]

Wasn't the whole reason for the project, and the majority of the cost, to retrofit to be "earthquake proof?"

Yes and no.  The reason for the project was to retrofit for the fault line.  A significant portion of the cost of the project was this obsession with adding in a bunch of goodies underground and making sure the stadium was some symbol of excellence.

Much like the Bay Bridge, cheaper options were rejected because the symbol needed to inspire.  In this case, the symbol needed to inspire recruits and donors.  Reasonable call if the funds are available, but the funds are not really there.

That East phase should not happen even with the inequality.  Though I can imagine a world where the UCB AD begs the Regents.  The Regents could then find and allocate discretionary funds to the project.  It would be a terrible use of very limited funds, but I can imagine that it COULD happen in a few years.

[Farm93]

Wasn't the whole reason for the project, and the majority of the cost, to retrofit to be "earthquake proof?"

Yes and no.  The reason for the project was to retrofit for the fault line.  A significant portion of the cost of the project was this obsession with adding in a bunch of goodies underground and making sure the stadium was some symbol of excellence.

Much like the Bay Bridge, cheaper options were rejected because the symbol needed to inspire.  In this case, the symbol needed to inspire recruits and donors.  Reasonable call if the funds are available, but the funds are not really there.

That East phase should not happen even with the inequality.  Though I can imagine a world where the UCB AD begs the Regents.  The Regents could then find and allocate discretionary funds to the project.  It would be a terrible use of very limited funds, but I can imagine that it COULD happen in a few years.