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Albert Lau’s letter in your May 4th edition misses the point. TransAction proposes to construct a new development, which will contain not only much needed housing for downtown, but also replacement of the existing parking, plus additional parking. We are very aware that the interim disruption is a major inconvenience for downtown visitors, and are working hard to put programs in place to mitigate the inconvenience. The existing structure is incapable of supporting additional weight load. We cannot simply build apartments on top of the existing structure, but rather must build a new structure as a platform for new housing. The city and DBA (Downtown Berkeley Association) were very concerned about the county’s courthouse plan, because that plan did not provide for a re-creation of the existing parking. TransAction’s proposal does provide for the recreation of the existing parking. Thus, but for the temporary, but very real, inconvenience, the downtown and the city will be better off with the new development. 

John H. DeClercq 

Senior Vice President 

TransAction Financial Corporation