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The popular viewing deck atop Mount Diablo that allows visitors sweeping views of the Bay Area and beyond is getting a makeover, California
State Parks officials said.

The deck at Mount Diablo State Park's Summit Visitors Center is undergoing a major renovation designed to protect the highly frequented historic structure and its indoors exhibits from water damage, park officials said.

"We are excited that this renovation is taking place", said Jason Hart, maintenance chief for the state parks department's Bay Sector. "The
work will consist of adding a new concrete topping to the viewing deck, followed by application of the traffic coating and the installation of a guardrail."

Hart said the deck will also be weather-proofed and will get a new coat of paint and elevator upgrades.

The work should be completed by early January, according to park officials.

The Visitors Center was built by the Civilian
Conservation Corps and was recognized as a national historic landmark in 1949.

The summit of the mountain where the visitors center stands was the starting point for a survey of California and Nevada in 1851, about 70 years before Mount Diablo State Park became one of California's first state parks.

— Bay City News Service

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