Jesse Arreguin Archives

Plan for housing at Ashby BART advances, while concerns about power station linger

by Nico Savidge Nov. 14, 2023, 9:31 a.m.Nov. 15, 2023, 10:42 a.m.

City and BART officials have wrapped up their negotiations over Berkeley’s control of ‘air right’ at the station, Mayor Jesse Arreguín says.

An older, shingle-clad apartment building occupies the foreground, with two larger newly built apartment complexes behind it.

Housing & Development

Has Berkeley’s building boom made housing more affordable? We dug into the data

by Nico Savidge Oct. 23, 2023, 3:25 p.m.Oct. 29, 2023, 7:11 p.m.

Once soaring, rent prices have slowed their ascent in Berkeley over the past five years. What’s driving that shift is harder to say.

A row of head shots of Berkeley mayoral candidates Kate Harrison, Rigel Robinson and Sophie Hahn

City

Berkeley’s 2024 mayoral race already has 4 candidates

by Nico Savidge Aug. 15, 2023, 4:12 p.m.Aug. 16, 2023, 5:01 p.m.

As Mayor Jesse Arreguín campaigns for state Senate, three city councilmembers have joined the race to replace him.

Multiple under-construction buildings and multiple cranes

City

Berkeley is adding new housing at the fastest rate in decades

by Nico Savidge July 25, 2023, 4:21 p.m.July 28, 2023, 8:39 a.m.

Berkeley approved nearly 900 homes in 2022, far surpassing state housing production goals, but fell well short of targets for affordable homes.

A small, plain and industrial-looking building surrounded by barbed-wire fences occupies the foreground. Beyond it is the three-story building at the northwest corner of the intersection of Adeline Street and Ashby Avenue.

City

Residents blast BART’s plan to build bulky power facility at Ashby station

by Nico Savidge July 20, 2023, 3:19 p.m.July 23, 2023, 9:27 p.m.

An expanded power station could occupy a prominent spot along Adeline Street that Berkeley officials had hoped to line with businesses and housing.

A green sign reads "Golden Gate Fields" in gold letters, with the racetrack's slogan, "where the bay comes to play," beneath it in white.

City

Golden Gate Fields sits on 140 prime waterfront acres. What happens when it closes?

by Nico Savidge July 19, 2023, 10:44 a.m.July 19, 2023, 1:01 p.m.

Developers have long wanted to turn the property into a bustling commercial center, while open space advocates hope it becomes a park.

City

Police reform programs jeopardized in Berkeley budget proposal

by Nico Savidge June 26, 2023, 4:00 p.m.June 27, 2023, 11:02 a.m.

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.

City

Remembering Gus Newport, former Berkeley mayor and lifelong progressive activist

by Nico Savidge June 23, 2023, 1:30 p.m.June 26, 2023, 8:39 a.m.

Newport led Berkeley from 1979 to 1986, pursuing a bold progressive agenda that included divesting from South Africa and strengthening rent control.

City

New buildings could be less deadly for Berkeley birds

by Nico Savidge June 8, 2023, 1:00 p.m.June 9, 2023, 11:55 a.m.

The city will require large housing projects and office buildings to include materials that prevent birds from flying into windows and other reflective features.

Two construction workers in hard hats crouch in front of panes of glass, which are leaning against a colorful mural at a downtown Berkeley worksite.

City

Berkeley sets new labor standards for big construction projects over developer objections

by Nico Savidge May 3, 2023, 2:56 p.m.May 5, 2023, 12:32 p.m.

The City Council approved an ordinance Tuesday requiring contractors to provide apprenticeships and health care coverage for workers on certain projects.