Public Comment

Until just a few years ago, I was coasting along in my own world thinking that if I just voted I had done my civic duty and that was enough. I, of course, learned like others that voting important as it is, is hardly enough. And, that without continuing engagement officials will do what they do best, lose track of their responsibilities to the public and ethics and cater to the hands that feed them, developers and money. Oh, there are a few who retain personal integrity and a few who never had it.

This brings me to the proposed 2211 Harold Way project. If that project were called the 2230 Shattuck (address for the Landmark Shattuck Cinemas) instead of 2211 Harold Way it would have gotten a lot more attention. After attending the ZAB (Zoning Adjustment Board) meeting on November 13, 2014, I joined other volunteers in opposing this project. I was appalled by the height of the building and the impact this building would have on the view from Campanile Way and Shattuck. At one point, I thought that if we could just get the height reduced to 10 stories and replace the Shattuck Cinemas that would be a win for the citizens of Berkeley. That was before I started gathering petition signatures and speaking to people about the building. 

After weeks of talking with people, I am at a different conclusion. 2211 Harold Way is the wrong building, in the wrong place with the wrong design at the wrong time. The Landmark Shattuck Cinemas are a major economic driver in downtown Berkeley. You might notice if you go to downtown Berkeley our store fronts are full. On the weekends we have sold out movies at the Shattuck Cinemas and the streets are bustling with people going to the movies, buying ice cream cones, stopping for coffee, eating out and just generally frequenting our businesses. In our polling, we find 60% of the Shattuck Cinemas movie goers come to Berkeley from other cities across the bay area. They come specifically to this complex of ten theaters, because of all the intelligent documentary and art films offered at this one site. 

Demolishing the Shattuck Cinemas will do more than just shutter the cinemas, it will shatter the downtown. Businesses whether they realize it or not depend on the patrons of the Shattuck Cinemas to survive. Construction is projected to last four years. Even if the developers rebuilt the Shattuck Cinemas which is now in question, their offering of a significant community benefit is to subsidize the theaters for 20 years so the lease rate in the new building is only near double the current lease rate instead of the more than triple rate projected for the building. Which means the theaters cannot return as a viable business or the cost to us doubles, so much for community benefit. 

The more I see of the buildings planned for downtown, the more I realize these buildings are to fulfill the legacy fantasy of our mayor and line the pockets of the consultants and developers. The citizens of the Berkeley will be living with the reality of these misadventures and right now that reality looks pretty ugly.  

2211 Harold Way is still going through the approval process. The probability of stopping these monstrous misadventures are small, but if you feel better for trying as I do join us. Follow us on Facebook.com/saveshattuckcinemas or send an email to savingshattuck@gmail.com. Our city needs you to keep a watchful eye.