Image: Bryan Hamilton A Downtown Berkeley Association ambassador assaulted a homeless man Thursday evening behind CVS in what appears to be a violent incident that was captured on video. That homeless man and an associate were arrested by the Berkeley Police Department before the video came to light. After reviewing the video this week, police asked the district […]
John Caner
Posted inBusiness
Work begins to transform UC Theatre into music venue
At the groundbreaking for the UC Theatre on Wednesday, March 18, 2015: (l to r) Laurie Capitelli, Susan Wengraf, Michael Caplan, Polly Armstrong, David Mayeri, Helen Meyer, Denise Pinkston, Nancy Skinner, Daryl Moore, Joseph Camacho, Calvin Fong and John Caner. Photo: Tracey Taylor By Frances Dinkelspiel and Tracey Taylor The long-shuttered UC Theatre on University Avenue […]
Posted inCity
Berkeley to grapple again with homeless on sidewalks
On most days, homeless youth can be found on the sidewalk on Shattuck Avenue in front of the Landmark Shattuck Cinemas. The City Council will consider a new set of laws affecting the homeless on Tuesday night. Photo: Tracey Taylor A proposal coming before the Berkeley City Council on Tuesday to examine new laws for the […]
Posted inBusiness
After Berkeley protests: Local merchants react to damage, looting at their businesses
McDonald’s in Berkeley was one of the many businesses damaged during recent protests in the city. Photo: Kim Aronson McDonald’s in Berkeley was one of the many businesses damaged during recent protests in the city. Photo: Kim Aronson Berkeley’s major commercial districts are awash with plywood — some of it covers broken glass, some has been erected […]
Posted inHousing & Development
New hotel project is a go again after defeat of Measure R
With the defeat of Measure R, the plan for a downtown Berkeley hotel at Shattuck and Center is back on track. Image: JRDV Urban International Now that Measure R, the initiative that aimed to impose stricter standards on tall buildings, has been defeated, the project to build a hotel downtown is back on track. Developer […]
Posted inCity
Berkeley city attorney: Main post office may have sold
The main Post Office on Allston Way. Photo by Darius Wekwerth The Berkeley city attorney has informed the City Council he believes someone has purchased the downtown U.S. post office at 2000 Allston Way, and that it is time for Berkeley to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service to stop the sale. A letter to that […]
Posted inCity
Berkeley to look at residential permit parking citywide
The city of Berkeley is looking at expanding its permit parking program to ease the crush in residential neighborhoods. Photo: Chris Makarsky The Berkeley City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to study whether permit parking might be needed in more residential neighborhoods throughout the city, and whether the cost to buy those permits should increase. To […]
Posted inCity, Nature
New drought rules would see Berkeley reduce its water use
A Downtown Berkeley Association employee powerwashes the sidewalk at the corner of Shattuck and Center. Photo: Isabelle Gaston This week the state Water Resources Control Board will consider emergency restrictions on water use that would require the city of Berkeley to impose fines for certain types of outdoor water use. If approved, the Water Board’s drought measures would require […]
Posted inEvents
Berkeley Spark 2.0: Art, innovation and a kinetic bear
This year’s Berkeley Spark will showcase “Ursus Redivivus,” a kinetic-sculpture bear made from scrap metal. Photo: Kat Parkin This year’s Berkeley Spark will showcase “Ursus Redivivus,” a kinetic-sculpture bear made from scrap metal. Photo: Kat Parkin On Saturday July 19, Berkeley’s Civic Center Park will be filled with artists, idea makers, entrepreneurs and techies from […]
Posted inCity
Berkeley BART plaza plans ‘not a bad first start’
BART hopes to create a more inviting, safe plaza both day and night. Note the walkable clear skylight over the station below. Image: BART plaza BART hopes to create a more inviting, safe plaza both day and night. Note the walkable clear skylight over the station below. Image: BART plaza More than 100 people attended an open house Monday […]
Posted inHousing & Development
See plans Tuesday for new downtown Berkeley hotel
A 16-story hotel has been proposed on Center Street at Shattuck Avenue. This is the view from BART plaza looking east. (Click for more detail; the large file will take time to load.) Image: JRDV Urban International A 16-story high-rise hotel under consideration in downtown Berkeley is making its way through the city approval process, […]
Posted inArts
Berkeley’s long-shuttered UC Theatre to get new life
A rendering of what Berkeley’s UC Theatre could look like if it reopens. Image courtesy Berkeley Music Group A rendering of what Berkeley’s UC Theatre could look like if it reopens. Image courtesy Berkeley Music Group For the last seven years David Mayeri has had a dream: to refurbish the old UC Theatre on University […]
