Students representing the Che Cafe are still working on negotiations with UCSD Grounds and Landscapes Services concerning the placement of a storage shed and containers behind the Che Cafe.
The shed will take the place of several smaller storage containers previously situated in the same general area. Those that oppose the shed’s placement fear that the new shed will decrease area parking, block access to the organic garden behind the cafe and intensify traffic to the area.
Kris Bohling, a graduate student in the music department, said the cafe has received a written response regarding the storage shed.
He said the written response did not include any new concessions, which the Che Cafe was anticipating. He felt that Grounds and Landscapes Services were simply reiterating statements they made before, such as the promise that the shed will only be temporary. The response did not contain a date that the storage container will be removed.
“”Their biggest fear is that the shed will be there forever,”” said Chuck Morgan, manager of Grounds and Landscapes Services. “”This is not true.””
The response contained other details. For example, it states that the shed will not block access to the cafe’s organic garden.
Bohling remained firm in his stance that the shed would be a nuisance to the cafe.
“”The shed will still be wedged up against the main path to the garden,”” he said.
The memo also claimed that the cafe’s structure will not be altered. Originally there was a possibility the Che Cafe would be subject to drilling for pipes and wires to conduct electricity. However, Bohling said such an agreement was already made, and that the promise means nothing new to the cafe.
“”[The promise of no alteration to the cafe] is the only substantial statement in the response we received,”” Bohling said. “”But we knew it anyway.””
The cafe has prepared and sent several requests concerning the shed’s erection. Some of the requests include a guarantee that the parking situation will be not be impacted and the certification that the shed will be temporary, with a date established for its removal.
So far, the construction of the shed and container has been delayed for weeks.
“”We already ordered the shed and containers,”” Morgan said. “”Now we can’t have them delivered because of this impasse. The vendor is threatening to charge us a storage fee. The cost is multiplying exponentially.
“”We were originally evicted from our prior location at Urey Hall because of safety concerns. What we want is a permanent facility, but that will not be possible until 2007. We have no other options … and we don’t like it either.””
The junk pile placed in the area the shed is to be constructed has expanded, having four-foot walls adorned with a ladder and a lookout platform. The protesters plan to assemble a full-scale demonstration if and when the construction takes place.
“”We’re in a state of continual readiness,”” Bohling said.
Morgan is upset at the way the issue has expanded.
“”We want to be good neighbors … and we’re dealing with [the obstacles] the best we can,”” he said. “”We’re just trying to take care of the campus.””
