Extra

They still call it the "Gaia" building.

One of Panoramic Interests' earlier proposals in Berkeley claimed to be contributing a new theater space. Patrick Kennedy, the developer, promoted a narrative city leaders loved; that all of his developments included cultural space - because he cared about culture.

But those who know theater, music clubs, movie houses, even commercial kitchens found out project by project that Kennedy was big on his own self-serving narrative but short on green rooms, prop space, space for dishes, employee break rooms, and the real requirements one finds in Berkeley's once plentiful theaters and music halls going back to the 1920's and vaudeville's heyday.

The shapes of the once-promised bookstores, music clubs, movie houses, and theaters are still there in the shadows of his high-end housing. But the impracticality of the spaces, the impossibility of hauling props, costumes, and sound equipment in and out constantly put an end to the short-lived existence of all of them.

Patrick Kennedy is now promoting simply allowing the preservation of the facade of the UA Theater as a benefit to the city, asking for an exemption to CEQA's simple requirement that the UA's historic worth be evaluated on behalf of the public and the historic record. 

He's not offering to maintain the theater itself. He's offering to maintain the same facade which his buildings have always in fact only offered: a facade of culture, usually salted with some short-term benefit such as a year of rent-free space in order to pump up a brief aura of success. 

Past Berkeley City Councils let themselves get used and fooled over and over again accepting these deals. The current Council sits ready to let the last downtown theater space become as phony as the downtown itself, especially since its true governing voices are its property owners who, no matter where they actually live, sit on the Business Improvement District boards and call the real shots in town, not to mention their very real campaign donations. 

It is perhaps only a small tragedy to let this last theater be swallowed up by the Berkeley City Council's favorite developer without requiring any actual theater remain part of the picture. After all, the real theater happens at the BID board meetings, which, at least at present, are open to the public. 

The decision deadline is Aug. 30 so we have less than TWO WEEKS (or less) to pressure city officials to do the right thing. Let’s call city officials and leave them voicemails (don’t worry—they don’t pick up) demanding that they be transparent and not grant the developer an unfair and ruinous exemption to CEQA. 

Overview: The developer, Panoramic, wants to preserve a fraction of the facade and lobby but destroy the palatial four-story theater itself in order to build an apartment tower. This is unacceptable. The UA is slated to be be the third -- AND LAST -- movie theater in the downtown to be destroyed since the pandemic — let’s keep fighting to stop this from happening! Housing construction is very important but it doesn't have to come at the cost of this magnificent landmark building. 

Why is CEQA review important? CEQA review allows more time and resources for expert and citizen evaluation of the proposal to demolish the theater. It takes more time to consider the ramifications of destroying what is considered a historic and cultural resource under state law. There could potentially be a public CEQA meeting. If the exemption is granted and citizens are denied this process, then the theater is much more likely to be destroyed. 

Call City Officials. Here is a list of city officials to call and leave a message. Please leave your name, be clear, forceful and to the point, and make clear you are speaking about the proposal to demolish the UA theater at 2274 Shattuck Ave. 

Please call all of them if you can but calling one is absolutely worthwhile. You don’t have to be from Berkeley but if you are, make that clear. 

Jordan Klein, planning director: 510-981-7534 

Sharon Gong, head planner on project: 510-981-6620 

Farimah Brown, city attorney: 510-981-6998 

Anne Hersch, land use planning manager: 510-981-7411 

If you have any issues getting through to voicemail, call the city's customer service number and they will transfer you: 510-981-2489 

TALKING POINTS

• The UA is a protected landmark building. Built in 1932, the UA is on the California Register of Historical Resources, is National Register-eligible, and is also now a city landmark — that is why the proposal to demolish the building amounts to a “substantial adverse change” requiring extensive CEQA review under the law.
• Don't cave to the developer after already committing to CEQA. The city already informed the developer that the project should undergo CEQA review, in January. To grant the developer an exemption now would be unfair and unethical and represent a total reversal by the city in favor of the developer — it should noht go back on its commitment to enforce and oversee the CEQA evaluation process.
• The public deserves transparency. An exemption to CEQA would deny the public a chance to learn more about the historic and cultural resources that stand to be lost if this theater is demolished. This theater and citizens deserve a public CEQA meeting and further expert evaluation of the development proposal.
• The city is abandoning its downtown planning policies to the detriment of historic architecture and local cinema. The city's Downtown Area Plan, which is still in effect, calls for the "retention" and "support" of downtown cinemas. The beloved Shattuck Cinemas has been demolished and the art deco California theater now has final approval to be razed. The UA Berkeley is the last of the downtown theaters to be saved, and it is the most historically and architecturally valuable of the three—it must be preserved.
• Big potential if the UA is preserved. The UA Berkeley could be restored as a glorious mid-size theater featuring live performance and film, like the Paramount in Oakland. Or it could remain what it is now, a uniquely historic multiplex movie theater. The potential is huge—but not if the theater is destroyed.
• CEQA is still in effect in California! No unfair exemptions for the developer!