Trees, Tightwad Hill and Stadium Plans

Based on my experience, all new re/development plans will undoubtedly bring out people opposed to the project.

The new Memorial Stadium plans have at least two opponents - "Save Tightwad Hill" and "Save the Oaks at the Stadium". Both are delivering petitions to the UC Regents meetings November 14-15 at UCLA. The Regents are expected to certify the EIR for the $112MM Stadium Plan during the two-day meeting.

The Tightwad Hill opponents are basically attempting to ensure that views remain the same from the traditional vantage point.

Since learning of planned modifications and renovations to Memorial Stadium that will block Tightwad Hill's views of the playing field, Sicular and fellow cheapskates have collected 1,000 signatures of people opposed to the university's plan. -Oakland Trib

The Save the Oaks campaign is also collecting signatures to stop or revise the Stadium Plan to save the oak grove on the West side of the stadium.

They, along with a student arm of the group, delivered a petition with 3,000 signatures to Chancellor Robert Birgeneau's office. They plan to present copies to the UC Board of Regents at its meeting to consider athletic center plans Tuesday.

[snip]

For their part, UC officials said three new trees will be planted for every specimen tree that is removed. What's more, to offset the loss of the trees, the athlete center is being built "to preserve the health of the remaining grove by safeguarding its natural water supply and drainage." -Oakland Trib

I wrote a little about this last year, except it was about a Monterey Pine called Moen.