SAN FRANCISCO – The University of California has approved a $321 million renovation of UC Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium.

The UC Board of Regents signed off on the renovation and seismic retrofit of UC Berkeley’s 87-year-old Memorial Stadium, which straddles the Hayward Fault. The project will reduce seating from about 72,000 to 63,000 and upgrade restrooms, food service and public safety facilities.

The project is expected to begin later this year and be completed by the start of the 2012 football season. The stadium will be closed during Cal’s 2011 season, when the team will play at another location.

UC officials say the project will be funded mainly by sales of long-term rights to about 3,000 stadium seats and that no state money will be used.