Last chance: Pick your favorite design now for Berkeley’s Civic Center Park
The city of Berkeley is forging ahead with plans to rethink Civic Center Park and has asked the public to weigh in.
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Urban planning
Can Berkeley’s Civic Center become the heart of the city? Gehl Studio thinks so
The city has asked the community to help reimagine how Civic Center works with the goal of transforming it from a largely empty space into Berkeley’s “main square.”
Neighbors fight proposed Verizon cell site in North Berkeley — again
A group of local residents celebrated three years ago when plans for a Verizon cell site in their neighborhood were dropped. Now, many of them are back at it.
Recent Stories
To ease student housing crunch, Berkeley starts process to increase density in the Southside
It will take a year for changes to come before the Berkeley City Council, but they could include room for three more high-rise residential buildings.
Can an unfinished but ‘usable’ basement space be taxed? Berkeley says ‘yes’ and the courts have agreed
A number of property owners are challenging how the city assesses special taxes. They believe they have been overcharged and are seeking redress.
California Restaurant Association sues Berkeley over natural gas ban
The California Restaurant Association filed a lawsuit against the city of Berkeley in federal court Thursday over its decision in July to ban natural gas in many new buildings.
One of Berkeley’s largest landlords sells 6 apartment complexes to Texas group
The sale transfers 314 units around downtown that mostly house students and could bring over $4 million in transfer taxes to the city.
Housing pipeline: As built units and affordable ones grow, more work remains
Since 2014, there have been 1,022 housing units built, across 17 projects, according to the latest “housing pipeline” report issued by the city. About 842 units, in 15 projects, are expected to be done by 2020.
Berkeley first city in California to ban natural gas in new buildings
The city of Berkeley will no longer allow natural gas pipes in many new buildings starting Jan. 1, 2020. It’s the first city in California to pass such a law, officials said.
Berkeley to consider prohibiting natural gas in new buildings
To the potential dismay of cooks and chefs, Berkeley City Council is set to discuss an ordinance that would prohibit natural gas infrastructure in new buildings.
Berkeley homeowners fight arcane wording that could subject duplexes to rent control
In 2013, the Rent Board voted that a “natural person” must own a golden duplex to keep it exempt from rent control. That has caused issues for owners who put their homes in revocable living trusts.
Planning moves forward on I-80-Ashby Avenue interchange
The Alameda County Transportation Commission and Caltrans are working with officials from Berkeley and Emeryville to improve safety and traffic flow where Interstate 80 meets Ashby Avenue.
