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Editor: 

The proposed site for the new Vista College is on Center Street between Milvia and Shattuck. This will be a six-story building that will replace what is now a parking lot. 

I have not seen the Environmental Impact Report yet, but an official at the college said there would be no parking facilities in the new building. According to this official, Berkeley has put a moratorium on any new parking areas because they want to increase public-transit use. 

This would be a perfect world if we all used mass-transit, but we don’t. Driving, as well as parking, is a mess in downtown Berkeley, and this new building is going to make it 10 times worse. 

On top of that, the building itself, along with the Washington Mutual and court house buildings) will complete the blockage of any sun on Center Street for at least 4-5 months of the year and increase the “wind tunnel” effect that already exists. 

A public meeting to review and discuss a City of Berkeley draft EIR focusing on the proposed building is set for Monday, March 25 from 7-9pm at Anna Yates Elementary School (multipurpose room), 1070-41st St. (between San Pablo and Adeline), Emeryville. I urge concerned citizens to attend. 

Sue Somit 

Berkeley