How $13M and 15 months changed Downtown Berkeley BART

BART's Downtown Berkeley Station plaza opened Thursday following a 15-month renovation that replaced the square's brick rotunda with a sleek glass awning.

BART cameras were rolling the entire time — even after the project went more than a year over-schedule. The timelapse video above shows construction crews tear down the clunky entrance, built in 1973, and replace it with a shiny new one, more appropriate to 21st-century tastes.

The project cost $13 million, and includes the addition of cafe tables and chairs to the highly trafficked plaza, additional sidewalk seating along Shattuck Avenue, new lighting and regular live performances.

Screen grabs from a timelapse video of the construction of the Downtown Berkeley BART Station plaza, which took 15 months and cost $13 million. Screen grabs from a timelapse video of the construction of the Downtown Berkeley BART Station plaza, which took 15 months and cost $13 million. Photo: BART Photo: BART Image 1 of / 57 Caption Close How $13M and 15 months changed Downtown Berkeley BART 1 / 57 Back to Gallery

"We are delighted to finally have this beautiful new transit portal and town square open in the heart of our great city," Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin said in a statement.

A 4 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday kicks off the festivities, followed by a performance from the Berkeley Symphony and the unveiling of Michael Chrsitian's 14-foot globe sculpture.

Later in the evening, a sound installation by Chris Brown (the sonic artist, not the pop star) will be introduced, followed by music on the Berkeley Live! stage at 8 p.m.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.

Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news.



