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Of Oakland, Gertrude Stein felt “there is no there there.” At the very least, however, they’ve definitely got two Peralta District Community Colleges there – with campuses to boot. That’s a distinction Berkeley’s own Vista College cannot claim. After several decades of operation, multiple bond measures and threats of secession from the Peralta District, Vista is still leasing space at 2020 Milvia St. 

This sore point was the primary topic of conversation at a Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees-sponsored “listening session” Wednesday night at the North Berkeley Senior Center and open to the general public. The home crowd’s queries about when, if ever, a permanent home for vista college will be constructed underscored a larger concern that the Downtown Berkeley Community College has been deemed the ugly stepsister of the four-college district. 

“I’m really emotional about Vista College, Vista has changed my life a great deal,” Vista student Letteria Fletcher said to Chancellor Ronald Temple and the six PCCD trustees present. “(Recently) I was at Merritt College for the first time. I was really shocked and amazed to see the campus they have. I tell you, the computers in our career and transfer center often go out because we’re in a place that’s not properly wired, where computers aren’t supposed to be. Our library is not adequate. The bathrooms sometimes overflow. I know Vista students are not getting what they deserve.” 

The board hopes to escape the multifaceted drawbacks of Vista’s longtime temporary home by constructing a permanent site on land it purchased at 2050 Center Street currently in use as a large parking lot. While this plan was in the works some time ago, it, like others before, hit a snag. 

“We passed a bond for $15 million at the time thinking that was adequate to build the college,” explained Trustee Lynn Baranco. “It was not until this chancellor (Temple) came on board that we realized we were short on funds.” 

It is now estimated that the structure will cost at least $35 million. In hopes of raising the needed capital, the board has proposed a $150 million bond measure for November’s ballot. The wording of the measure, however, is such that the League of Woman Voters’ Helen Lecar says she “wouldn’t touch it with a 10-foot pole.” 

“Voters in my constituency are asking me if they should support the bond measure, and I have to say ‘I don’t know,’” said Councilmember Kriss Worthington before the crowd of nearly 50. “Never in my life have I voted against any bond measure for education. But in this instance, I have no idea where the money would go. As a politician, in the last few years I’ve learned far more than I ever could have dreamed of about tricking voters, getting them to vote for something, then shifting the money around to do other things. I’m more cynical now that I’m an elected official. I ask you in your deliberations to come up with some kind of legally enforceable agreement to give us faith and trust to ensure Vista College gets the facility it deserves.” 

Worthington’s sentiments were echoed by fellow Councilmember Dona Spring, who said “written assurances” of the erection of a permanent Vista campus would be needed in order for the bond measure to pass. 

“We can no longer trust bond measures to give us money to complete the Vista College building unless we see it in writing,” said Spring. 

Speaking for the board, Baranco said that going ahead with the planned construction wasn’t merely an option, but a necessity. 

“In order to acquire that land, we had to go to eminent domain, meaning we did not pay the asking price for that land, which did not make that owner happy,” said the trustee. “Now he’s the landlord of Vista property. So we burned that bridge. We have to build that college, we don’t even have a choice. Even if we were reluctant, and we’re not reluctant, we’ve got to build that college.” 

Trustee Tom Brougham closed out the night with a long speech pointing out that Vista’s struggle for a permanent campus highlights larger iniquities within the Peralta District. 

“There has been a total disconnect in the Peralta District between land and where the students want to go,” said Brougham, who pointed out that 130-acre Merritt College occupies half the land the district owns but serves only 20 percent of its student body. “It’s not enough to take the $150 million and spend it, leave all the land and buildings and just refurbish them. First and foremost we need to ask the public where it wants to go to school. Then we have to use that information to buy and sell land, sell and tear down buildings. Where people want to go to school, you build the facilities. That’s what it’s all about. 

“We have charged the chancellor with 18 goals, and the overarching goal is excellence,” continued Brougham, who announced that, after 13 years on the board, this will be his final term. “You can say you’re excellent, but I don’t think it’s possible as long as there’s 130 acres up there with not a lot of students on it and .3 acres down here with 4,000 students on it.”