The property has hosted everything from a mattress store to an overflowing artist warehouse. Now, as its owners prepare to sell the site, its future is in question.
Rick Auerbach
Posted inHousing & Development
A vision for Berkeley’s old Pacific Steel Casting site: A hub for industrial innovation
Dozens gathered to discuss what should be done with the 8.3-acre site near Second Street. Most said it must be preserved for manufacturing uses to keep Berkeley a diverse place in which to live.
Posted inCity
Developers donate to little-known Berkeley homeless fund
Some of Berkeley’s biggest developers, concerned about homelessness, have donated to the city fund. At least two of them did so while Berkeley was considering their projects.
Posted inBusiness
End of an era: Berkeley’s Pacific Steel Casting shuts down after 84 years
The closure of the city’s last big “smokestack” factory means the end of well-paid union jobs. But it also means neighbors will no longer be bothered by a ‘burnt pot handle’ smell.
Posted inHousing & Development
A tale of two West Berkeley projects. Both have been challenged by neighbors. So far, just one will be built
Sometimes when neighbors object to a project and work with the developers, the building gets better. Sometimes it just gets stopped.
Posted inCity
Third phase of West Berkeley Plan passes, heads to ballot
The West Berkeley Project, which is nearing completion, has provoked heated public comment over a long period. Photo: Tracey Taylor After five meetings and countless hours of public testimony, the City Council decided on Tuesday to ask the residents of Berkeley to vote on proposed zoning changes to large parcels in West Berkeley. Councilmember Laurie […]
Posted inCity
Debate continues about changes to West Berkeley
In West Berkeley, a Victorian house sits next to a laboratory. This kind of mix is what makes the neighborhood unique.Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel The Berkeley City Council heard close to four hours of testimony Tuesday night about proposed changes to the West Berkeley plan. Around 90 people lined up in council chambers to talk about […]
Posted inCommunity
Slim council majority for changing West Berkeley zoning
Workers at Artwork Foundry on Heinz fill casts with molten bronze/Photo: John Osborn By John C. Osborn After three marathon public hearings, a narrow majority of the Berkeley City Council supports lifting protections on zoning in West Berkeley. The council voted 5-4 Tuesday night to have staff report back on impacts within 30 days once 100,000 […]
Posted inCity
On the table: the future of West Berkeley
Manufacturing businesses and vacancies on Carleton Street in West Berkeley/Photo: John Osborn By John C. Osborn The Berkeley City Council held the first of two public hearings Tuesday about proposed changes for West Berkeley that could drastically alter the landscape of the city’s economy in years to come. The changes would relax protections that have been […]
