Tag Archives: Downtown Berkeley
New Helios building rises rapidly in downtown Berkeley
Last summer it was a diggers’ delight of a demolition site, warranting a special outing for many young Bob The Builder fans. Today construction is well under way and the stories are rapidly going up on what will become the new Helios Energy Research Facility at 2151 Berkeley Way at Shattuck.
How did Berkeley do on those 2010 resolutions?
A year ago, we suggested 10 resolutions for 2010 for Berkeley (we’ll have our 2011 resolutions tomorrow). How did our city do?
We went back to look at those 10 resolutions and scored them 0 for no movement (or backward movement), a ½ point for some improvement and a full 1 point for true progress. We have to say that, even with the most generous grading possible, we can only give ourselves a score of four out of 10.
Here … Continue reading »
High hopes for new apartment project on Shattuck
A new development of mixed-use apartments is set to rise at 2600 Shattuck Avenue after developer City Centric secured entitlements to build the $60 million project.
The hope is that the development — which will include 155 units, a 188-spot parking garage and 19,600 square feet of retail space – will revitalize something of a dead zone in Berkeley.
“Our vision is to really create a sense of place and really transform the neighborhood,” City Centric co-founder Mark Rhoades … Continue reading »
Berkeley Art Museum seeks architect, again
Following its decision to move into the former University of California printing plant at Center and Oxford streets in downtown Berkeley (pictured top right), the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is looking for an architecture firm to revamp the space for them.
According to John King in today’s Chronicle, ten architectural firms have submitted initial proposals and the museum hopes to narrow the list to three and name its designer in June.
FedEx Office to open in old Eddie Bauer space
FedEx Office is taking over the old Eddie Bauer space at 2201 Shattuck with an expected opening date in late May or early June.
The move is in fact a relocation from its current retail store at 2295 Shattuck which will close down. A FeEx Office spokesperson said they chose the new store because it is a “better, more convenient location for customers”.
Berkeley beautification: Transforming the utilitarian
Following our coverage of the mosaic-covered bollards on Ashby and Fulton, the person behind their metamorphosis, Lisa Bullwinkel, got in touch to let us know of a great way for people to get involved with a beautifying project for our fair city. She writes:
Attention local businesses and artists:
There are 60 utility boxes within the Downtown Berkeley Area. All of them are grey. [Ed: As shown in photo, top left. The other … Continue reading »
What might have been
The city of Berkeley traditionally has acted as though its downtown bore no relation to UC, despite their shared border. The university repaid the favor by treating downtown like a back alley, necessary but of little note.
Read John King in today’s Chronicle on the city’s loss of a Toyo Ito-designed art museum.
Berkeley at a crossroads: the Downtown Area Plan
![DAP-area-map[1]](http://www.berkeleyside.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/DAP-area-map1-200x150.jpg "DAP-area-map[1]")
The citizens of Berkeley have a critical choice to make concerning our Downtown Area Plan. The direction that the city takes with this plan will determine if we can confront the problems this city faces and maintain our commitment to sustainability and social equity, or if we will continue a slow retreat towards an increasingly insular and homogeneous community. We are at a crossroads.
It is looking more likely that the City Council will weaken the Downtown Area Plan … Continue reading »
New head for Downtown Berkeley Association
The Downtown Berkeley Association (DBA) has hired John Caner as its new executive director. The DBA launched its search for a new leader in September when it adopted a new strategic plan. Deborah Badhia, the current executive director, will become director of operations.
Caner was one of over 50 applicants for the post. An 18-year resident of Berkeley, he has been executive director of Rebuilding Together Oakland, where he expanded programs and funding, serving low-income seniors and … Continue reading »
