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The blue line laid on the streets of downtown Berkeley last week is not graffiti. It’s the markings of a city-sanctioned campaign. 

Winding down the middle of Center Street, between Oxford Street and Shattuck Avenue, a plastic blue strip traces the underground route of Strawberry Creek, a waterway which many would like to see unearthed and flowing above ground. 

Volunteers from several environmental groups, including Friends of Strawberry Creek and Eco City Builders, laid the line Thursday to draw attention to their restoration plans, known as the Strawberry Creek daylighting project. 

One plan for “daylighting” the creek calls for the leveling of an entire city block in order to expose a section of the subterranean waterway. 

The creek, which originates above ground in the Berkeley hills and flows west across the UC Berkeley campus, was engineered to flow underground to permit the development of west and central Berkeley. 

The most ambitious proposal includes a hotel, conference center and courtyard surrounding the restored creek at Oxford and Center streets. 

A more moderate plan calls for only the removal of pavement, along a portion of Center Street, to expose the creek for public enjoyment. 

Supporters of the creek project say educational, commercial and environmental benefits of the free-flowing waterway would be significant. 

“The creek is a critical piece of the natural history of Berkeley,” said Richard Register, president of Eco City Builders. “It's the most concentrated place of biodiversity in the city.” 

Unearthing the stream will improve the natural habitat for birds, mammals, fish and reptiles dependent on the creek, restorationists say. 

Others tout the restoration as a way to attract people to downtown businesses. 

A long-term vision proposes “daylighting” the stream along its entire underground route from downtown Berkeley to the bay, said Councilmember Donna Spring. 

“I think once the public sees how nice one stretch of creek is, they would support opening up more. We could do this block by block. It doesn't have to be all at once,” Spring said. 

Supporters of the daylighting project hope the symbolic blue line painted last week will prompt the city to take the next step in the creek’s restoration – conducting a financial feasibility study. 

City officials, however, say the feasibility study cannot be rushed because of the project’s numerous economic and transit implications. Construction on Center Street could slow business for downtown restaurants and shops as well as force AC Transit to re-route buses. 

Creek supporters have already secured $80,000 of the estimated $250,000 study from the Coastal Conservancy, a state environmental agency. The study will consider residents’ interest in the project as well as the cost of necessary land acquisitions, construction and traffic alterations. 

City officials say these factors will vary depending on what “daylighting” site is ultimately selected. Currently, Center Street seems to be the most popular option because of its width. 

“This is a block by block decision. For some blocks this [construction] could cost $2 million, others $4 million. There's a wide range,” said Rene Cardinaux, director of the city’s public works. 

City officials say much of the construction cost will be recovered by increased business in the downtown. An above-ground stream would attract patrons to the area, they say. 

“[The project] is not something that will happen this year or next year,” said Arrietta Chakos, chief of staff for the city manager’s office.