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Flash: UC BERKELEY CLOSES PEOPLE'S PARK TO PREPARE TO BUILD HOUSING THERE

Keith Burbank, Bay City News, and Planet
Wednesday August 03, 2022 - 09:57:00 AM

People's Park in Berkeley was closed early Wednesday morning to prepare for the construction of housing following a judge's final ruling on the matter, advocates for maintaining the entire park as open space and University of California at Berkeley officials said. 

The park, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned by UC Berkeley, was being fenced off just after 3 a.m. and staffed by security, estimated by community observers as at least 100 officers.. 

Community advocates opposed to the plan for housing are planning to file an appeal Wednesday morning and pursue another stay of demolition. 

"We're pleased with the judge's decision," UC Berkeley spokesperson Dan Mogulof said Friday following the judge's tentative ruling.  

He had the same sentiments Wednesday. University officials are looking forward to "starting construction this summer," Mogulof said. 

The university plans to build student housing and supportive housing for homeless people.