It is possible that the problems with the Amador Theater, are being caused by Soil Subsidence. Groundwater-related subsidence is the subsidence (or the sinking) of land resulting from groundwater extraction, and/or reduction of Ground-water due to the on-going drought. We have seen similar problems in other areas of the city.

George you are right! Homes in Val Vista and Valley Trails have the same problem. Cement on one end of my swimming pool has slipped away from the coping this year. Cement in the driveway has a half inch crack.

Valley Trails and Val Vista have been having this same problem since the day they were built. There have always been issues in those two tracts.

When is this city e ever going to build a building does not have problems the city needs to get good engineering.

Many, many houses in my neighborhood have experienced significant sinking (cracking walls, doors not closing, etc) since the new well/pumping station at Santa Rita Rd and Stonebridge Dr was constructed. I live in the "Gates" which is adjacent to Willow West and Birdland. Unfortunately, that well which is just four houses down the block has resulted in me and at least five neighbors to have expensive foundation work -- and the sinking continues.

As a theater person most of my life and having been involved with productions at Amador Theater when Pleasanton Playhouse (Tri Valley Rep) used to perform there, I can name some negative things about that building. My children used to perform in that theater as drama students at Amador as well. While the improvements made were noticeable, the fact that there is no orchestra pit, and a lack of good dressing room space a real problem. Yes, sitting in the front rows trying to watch a musical with the orchestra so close to the audience makes for a bad experience. The plus thing about the theater is the fact that it has fly space to be able to hoist scenery up, which the Firehouse Theater does not have. Often times theater people are not contacted as to the needs of construction or remodeling and important things are missed in many areas. I will be watching for further comments on this subject.

My house is sinking too but it might have something to do with the age of the house 120 years old. Everything sink when you get old.

LOL the twitchy tree huggers are at it! Soil subsidence, NOT!
Why do you think it's called "Hopyard Road"!!?
Proper soil engineering like core samples would have indicated clay lenses that require special footings!

We bought our house almost two years ago in Birdland. It didn't take long for the cracks in the ceiling and walls to appear. I guess when one is flipping a house, one simply candy coats the flaws. They could've, at least, used flexible tape. *Sigh* Hopefully, our "forever house" will not sink into a pit anytime soon.

Settling, "sinking" cracks in sheet rock, plaster walls, doors and windows do not open and close properly, cracks appearing in the foundation.

Homes, structures, built on clay soil engulfed in a drought will exhibit all of these conditions.

Google 'what is the drought impact on homes built on clay soil'. There is all kinds of info on this, some experts recommend watering the foundation to slow down or prevent the above problems.

I wonder if there's a structural engineer who is at fault on this. They generally sign off on this sort of construction don't they?

Also, it almost sounds like the original construction cost far less than the fix. It's probably just inflation, but I wonder if tearing it down and rebuilding would be less expensive.

I am a former Pleasanton Livermore area resident - love the area but now live in Texas. The ground in the area we currently live is subject to expansion and contraction due to the composition of the soil. Knowing this engineers design foundations capable of tolerating such conditions. If the city leadership is considering contracting a firm to evaluate and offer remediation suggestions - a firm with experience building in areas such as Texas might not be a bad idea. Hope you all get rain soon!

@Citizen--don't know how long you have lived in Pleasanton, but Hopyard Road is named for all the hop fields that were there even thru the early 1980's.

(Post removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff as irrelevant to this thread.)

quick, we need a parcel tax "s" 150.00 per parcel per year to save the school district buildings. it's for the children!