Posted inCity, Crime, Crime & Safety, Housing & Development

DA will not file criminal charges in balcony collapse case

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley (center) with office spokeswoman Teresa Drenick (right) and Chief Assistant District Attorney Kevin Dunleavy on June 25, 2015 when they announced they were launching a criminal investigation into the June 16 Berkeley balcony collapse. Photo: Emilie Raguso Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley (center) with office spokeswoman Teresa Drenick […]

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 inCrime & Safety, Housing & Development

DA hopes to find cause of water intrusion that led to Berkeley balcony collapse

A balcony at Library Gardens in downtown Berkeley collapsed in June, killing six. Photo: Emily Dugdale The Alameda County district attorney’s office is hoping to determine the source of water intrusion that led a fifth-floor balcony to collapse in Berkeley in June, killing six and injuring seven. The tragedy at Library Gardens was an international story, […]

Posted inCity, Community, Crime & Safety, Housing & Development

Berkeley council to address balcony safety after collapse

Two balconies were removed from Library Gardens after a fatal accident that killed six and  injured seven in June. Photo: David Yee Two balconies were removed from Library Gardens after a fatal accident that killed six and  injured seven in June. Photo: David Yee The Berkeley City Council may vote next week to amend the municipal code in an effort to […]