Posted inCity

402 Berkeley buildings found to need fixes after launch of inspection program spurred by balcony collapse

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 […]

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 […]