Harold Way could be one of the best streets in Downtown Berkeley. It’s a quiet, narrow, low-traffic, shady street with some beautiful architecture from the Dharma College buildings. It’s highly accessible – with a parking garage next door, in direct proximity to both Shattuck and Milvia (and the bike station on Shattuck), and just a […]
Community benefits
Posted inCity, Housing & Development
With Harold Way EIR approval on hold pending new design, Berkeley officials to consider community benefits
2211 Harold Way is one of several tall building proposals in the pipeline that must offer “significant community benefits” under the Downtown Area Plan. Image: MVEI Architecture and Planning 2211 Harold Way is one of several tall building proposals in the pipeline that must offer “significant community benefits” under the Downtown Area Plan. Image: MVEI […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-ed: A tale of two Measure Rs
This is a tale of why and how the citizens of Berkeley got scammed by voting for the 2010 Measure R, and then scammed again when they voted against the 2014 Measure R. Let’s start with “why”. Why is the 2010 Measure R really a high-rise, luxury condo development plan that won’t help Berkeley’s housing […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-ed: Berkeley deserves better than 2211 Harold Way
2211 Harold Way is one of several tall building proposals in the pipeline that must offer “significant community benefits” under the Downtown Area Plan. Image: MVEI Architecture and Planning 2211 Harold Way is one of several tall building proposals in the pipeline that must offer “significant community benefits” under the Downtown Area Plan. Image: MVEI […]
Posted inBusiness, City, Community, Housing & Development
Berkeley council says affordable housing, union labor should be priority community benefits
Around 90 people lined up at a May 5 Berkeley City Council meeting to discuss community benefits. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel The Berkeley City Council took its first steps Tuesday to prioritize which community benefits it will require from developers, and affordable housing and local union jobs were the top priorities. Council members said other priorities […]
Posted inArts, City, Housing & Development
Berkeley looks at public art fee for private developers
The HERETHERE sculpture, by Steve Gillman and Katherine Keefer: public art that was installed in South Berkeley in 2005. Photo: George Kelly The city of Berkeley is crafting a new law to require private developers of many buildings to spend 1% of their construction costs on public art. Under a recommendation put forth by Mayor Tom Bates and approved in […]
Posted inCity, Housing & Development
Berkeley officials seek feedback on ‘community benefits’
2211 Harold Way is one of several tall building proposals in the pipeline that must offer “significant community benefits” under the Downtown Area Plan. Image: MVEI Architecture and Planning 2211 Harold Way is one of several tall building proposals in the pipeline that must offer “significant community benefits” under the Downtown Area Plan. Image: MVEI […]
Posted inCity
The lowdown: Berkeley council on community benefits, sewer fee increase, vaccines, parking permit expansion
A group of people opposing a state bill to end many of California’s vaccine exemptions attended a council meeting in March. Photo: Emilie Raguso A group of people opposing a state bill to end many of California’s vaccine exemptions attended a council meeting in March. Photo: Emilie Raguso Tuesday night’s Berkeley City Council meeting looks to be a doozy, […]
Posted inHousing & Development, Schools
View from UC Berkeley Campanile will not be landmarked
The view from the UC Berkeley Campanile looking west toward San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge is iconic, but it should not be landmarked, the Landmarks Preservation Commission decided Thursday, April 2. The 5-3 vote, with one abstention, came after almost four hours of testimony from residents who are concerned that a proposed 18-story […]
Posted inBusiness, City, Housing & Development
Developer of downtown Berkeley hotel offers ‘tapered’ tower; hopes for quick design review
The new plans for the 18-story hotel at 2129 Shattuck Ave. Photo: JRDV Architects Berkeley’s Design Review Committee will get an early peek this week of new, revised plans for the high-rise hotel on Shattuck Avenue and Center Street — part of the developers’ push to get the project through the planning process quickly. The plan […]
Posted inBusiness, Housing & Development
New 16-story downtown condo/hotel project to appeal to empty nesters, visiting professors
Jim Didion of Center Street LLC (left) and Richard Kelleher, CEO of Pyramid Hotels, are teaming up to construct a 16-story hotel in downtown Berkeley. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel The new developer of a 16-story hotel in downtown Berkeley plans to build up to 35 condominiums and include kitchens in every room so people can stay […]
Posted inBusiness, City, Housing & Development
Berkeley Zoning Board considers community benefits of proposed downtown high-rise
2211 Harold Way. Image: MVEI Architecture and Planning As Berkeley officials grappled with what the concept of “community benefits” actually means, the developer of the 18-story high rise at 2211 Harold Way announced at a Jan. 8 meeting of the Zoning Adjustments Board that he is willing to financially assist both the Habitot Children’s Museum and […]