Berkeley approved nearly 900 homes in 2022, far surpassing state housing production goals, but fell well short of targets for affordable homes.
Nico Savidge
Nico Savidge joined Berkeleyside in 2021 as a senior reporter covering city hall. Born and raised in Berkeley, he got his start in journalism at Youth Radio as a high-schooler in the mid-2000s. Since then, he has covered transportation, law enforcement, education and college sports for the San Jose Mercury News, EdSource, the Wisconsin State Journal, The Janesville Gazette and The Daily Cardinal. A graduate of Berkeley High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he now lives in Oakland with his wife and dog.
Posted inCity
Residents blast BART’s plan to build bulky power facility at Ashby station
An expanded power station could occupy a prominent spot along Adeline Street that Berkeley officials had hoped to line with businesses and housing.
Posted inCity
Golden Gate Fields sits on 140 prime waterfront acres. What happens when it closes?
Developers have long wanted to turn the property into a bustling commercial center, while open space advocates hope it becomes a park.
Posted inCity
Berkeley has lost thousands of Black residents. A new housing policy aims to help some return
The policy makes current or former residents of redlined areas, and those displaced by BART, a higher priority for affordable housing.
Posted inCity
Berkeley’s $729M budget puts a pause on police reform programs
Advocates say they fear Berkeley is abandoning its vision for public safety. Officials say they still want to create departments of community safety and transportation, among other reforms, once the citywide staffing crisis abates.
Posted inCity
Most Berkeley residents will see trash pickup fees rise
Berkeley trash customers with the smallest containers will see the highest percent increase over the next five fiscal years. Officials say their hands were tied by a decades-old ballot measure.
Posted inCity
Police reform programs jeopardized in Berkeley budget proposal
Mayor Jesse Arreguín says his proposal to redirect $1 million budgeted for initiatives to reimagine policing does not mean Berkeley is backing away from reform.
Posted inCity
Remembering Gus Newport, former Berkeley mayor and lifelong progressive activist
Newport led Berkeley from 1979 to 1986, pursuing a bold progressive agenda that included divesting from South Africa and strengthening rent control.
Posted inCity
Berkeley’s plan to bridge $9.1M bond shortfall avoids major cuts, but some are concerned
Berkeley will pull $4.1M from its fund for worker’s comp settlements to help address the shortfall that threatened several popular projects.
Posted inCity
Remembering Dorothy Walker, who pushed for desegregation, housing density and traffic calming, long before it was popular in Berkeley
Walker’s six decades of local activism touched practically every aspect of Berkeley life.
Posted inCity
Berkeley to launch whistleblower program for city government
The program managed by Berkeley’s independent city auditor will include a hotline for residents and employees to report waste, fraud and abuse.
Posted inCity
New buildings could be less deadly for Berkeley birds
The city will require large housing projects and office buildings to include materials that prevent birds from flying into windows and other reflective features.
