Public Comment
Demolishing the Berkeley Cinema
Six members of The Berkeley City Council approved on Tuesday (Dec.8) a major development project in the downtown Shattuck Avenue area, south of University Ave. Max Anderson, Jesse Arreguin, and Kris Worthington voted against it. The Council decision will be very costly to small businesses and their employees. We will certainly see as a result of the development project an escalation of bankruptcies and layoffs.
Here's why. One piece of the development project is the construction of an 18 story luxury high rise apartments. To do so, the developer will demolish the ten screen Berkeley Cinema. That is of course the equivalent of closing ten movie houses. The Berkeley Cinema attracts up to several thousand movie goers every week. Many of these movie goers enjoy dinner or desert downtown, and they also shop at the many business establishments in the area. The net business volume that will be lost as a result of demolishing the movie house will be substantial.
Even though the vote has already been taken, it is still important to let the Council members know how you feel. Remaining silent will encourage the City Council to support other luxury construction projects at the expense of low and middle income residents. The grim reality is that the appetites of the big developers and the financial institutions that provide capital are insatiable.
The following email address will reach Mayor Bates and all the other Berkeley City Council members: council@cityofberkeley.info
Also, please keep in mind the different perspectives of the two city council members who will be running next year for mayor. Laurie Capitelli, who often votes conservatively, supports this project including the demolition of the movie house. Jesse Arreguin, on the other hand, voted to reject the project. No doubts about it that Jesse really and seriously cares about small business and jobs.
If you would like to write these council members a personal note to let them know what is on your mind, here are their email addresses: lcapitelli@cityofberkeley.info
