Public Comment

The developers of the proposed mega-project at 2211 Harold Way have presented a list of “benefits” to the City, which included for example the rebuilding of sidewalks as a benefit and the recessed building entrance as “open space.” A recent commenter in the Planet has correctly noted that most of what the developers propose is simply what they would have to do anyway. He has suggested that the developers contribute to construction of a plaza on the stretch of Center Street between Shattuck and Oxford. While in no way disagreeing with the notion that the developers owe the city a great deal more than so far offered, I would like to take issue with the Center Street plaza. 

This idea has been burnished with an interesting design by the Berkeley professor and noted landscape architect Walter Hood, but it’s still a bad idea. Several years ago the City and the University worked together to construct a wide landscaped sidewalk on the south side of Center Street by eliminating curb parking. This made room for a series of cafes; it provided enough room for commuters walking to and from BART and the campus; and it demonstrated that once in a while the city and the university can cooperate successfully.  

All this happened while retaining the street as a street. It kept the street open for buses to access the many bus stops on Shattuck and for taxis from BART headed in the other direction to the campus. It provides Bank of America customers a way to get to its parking lot. If a hotel replaces the Bank of America, it will provide access for taxis, shuttle buses, and private cars.  

If it is approved, the 2211 Harold Way project should definitely create benefits for the city, but not at the expense of the streets. As an alternative, what about using “benefit” funds to extend the wide landscaped sidewalk on Center Street all the way to Milvia?  

West of Shattuck, Center Street is a kind of pedestrian purgatory with large parking structures on both sides. But it’s also the forecourt of Berkeley City College. Narrowing the width of Center Street in this block would make it a bit easier for BART passengers who can’t use the escalators to get to the elevator, which is on the north side of the street. It would provide a way to rationalize and improve the taxi queue on the south side of the street. It would give the students of Berkeley City College a mini-plaza with room for landscaping, benches, and tables. And all this would probably cost much less than digging up Center Street east of Shattuck.