Last year’s deadly balcony collapse at Library Gardens prompted the creation of a new building inspection program. Photo: David Yee Last year’s deadly balcony collapse at Library Gardens prompted the creation of a new building inspection program. Photo: David Yee Inspections performed in Berkeley since last year’s deadly balcony collapse at Library Gardens found more […]
John DeClercq
Posted inCommunity
Berkeley balcony collapse: Contractor used inferior wood and owner ignored signs of rot, including mushrooms sprouting from the surface, lawsuits allege
The balcony at Library Gardens that collapsed June 16, killing six and injuring seven. Lawsuits were filed against the owners, managers, contractors, subcontractors and others Thursday. Photo: Emily Dugdale The contractor for Library Gardens used inferior wood to construct the balcony that collapsed June 16, and allowed it to be saturated by rain before enclosing […]
Posted inCity
No ‘smoking gun’ in Berkeley balcony design
Reporters from the Associated Press, Bay Area News Group and the San Francisco Chronicle pore over the architectural drawings for Library Gardens in the Berkeley Planning Department on June 18, 2015. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel Reporters from the Associated Press, Bay Area News Group and the San Francisco Chronicle pore over the architectural drawings for Library Gardens in […]
Posted inCommunity
Berkeley building under scrutiny before balcony collapse
A balcony at Library Gardens in downtown Berkeley collapsed Tuesday, killing six. Photo: David Yee In a series of stories, Berkeleyside examines the building where six people died and seven were seriously injured Tuesday after a balcony collapsed. Part 1, below, looks at a history of complaints by residents. Part 2 examines potential issues surrounding the balcony construction, […]
Posted inCrime & Safety, Fire
Berkeley orders balcony removal after tragedy kills 6
Students outside Tuesday’s balcony collapse in Berkeley struggled to make sense of the tragedy that killed at least six Irish students. Photo: Emily Dugdale Students outside Tuesday’s balcony collapse in Berkeley struggled to make sense of the tragedy that killed at least six Irish students. Photo: Emily Dugdale The city of Berkeley has ordered the […]
Posted inCommunity
Berkeley balcony collapse leaves 6 people dead
The balcony at the Library Gardens apartment complex at 2020 Kittredge St. sheared off during a 21st-birthday celebration. Seven young Irish students were also injured, many critically.
Posted inBusiness
DeClercq stepping down as joint CEO of Berkeley Chamber
John DeClercq: stepping down as joint CEO of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce at month-end John DeClercq will step down as joint-CEO of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce at the end of this month after 18 months in the job. Polly Armstrong, with whom he shares leadership responsibilities, will continue to head up the local […]
Posted inCity
Anti sit-lie campaigners take protest to City Hall
A protester sits outside the City Council Chambers making plain her views about a mooted sit-lie ordinance. Photo: Tracey Taylor A group of about 70 people marched to the City Council Chambers Tuesday evening, after meeting on Telegraph Avenue, to protest a possible sit-lie ordinance in the city. Although the item was not on last night’s […]