Public Comment

I disvcovered only four days ago that the city plans to install egregiously ugly electronic kiosks in front of our businesses and homes despite years of attending hearings making objections. These "wayfinding" kiosks, flash advertising, obstruct views, siphon cell phone information without permission, distract traffic, create a health hazard by encouraging communal touch screens, and make no sense in a world with cell phones.

The hearing on these electronic billboards is Tuesday night (Dec. 13th, 6:00 pm) at the Berkeley City Council meeting. And sure, you write to the council ( clerk@CityofBerkeley.info ), a few of whom might be embarrassed by the fact that they let the 4th Street merchants decline similarly proposed kiosk installation.

San Pablo Avenue at University is a much older, more historic area, and despite our intersection having beautiful, historic landmarked properties laced throughout, we're about to be offered no such opportunity despite generating more to the tax base than downtown and Telegraph combined. Councilmembers Taplin and Kesarwani found a couple of merchants happy to sell out the rest of us. One of them is the Berkeley Patients Group, according to Kesarwani's office.

The University Avenue Association, initially agreeable to these electronic billboards, has reversed itself after discovering that the majority of area businesses and business associations opposes them, including: 

Ahlishan Collections Fabric Store, 

Everett and Jones Barbecue, 

Halmar Clothing, 

Alpha Designs, 

Mi Ranchito Bayside, 

Crossroads Village Apartments, 

Mi Tierra Foods, 

States Coffee and Bread, 

Heyday Books, 

Cafe Leila, 

Reuse Art and Crafts, 

The Sink Factory, 

Califas Greens, 

Halal Food Market, 

Casa Latina, 

Faded Lines Barbershop, 

Faiz International Clothing, 

Kabana Restaurant, 

Rainbow Doughnuts, 

Pet Emergency Treatment Services, 

Premier Auto, 

TaxPlus, 

Eat Thai, 

The Hidden Cafe, 

One Hour Martinizing, 

Sign@USA, 

Ledgers Liquors, 

7-11, 

Coda Craft, 

La Marcha Tapas Bar, 

The One Wireless and Gifts, 

Walking our neighborhood was a revelation in the care and consideration put into creating special atmosphere, unique products, marvelous client bases with cultural representation from all over the globe that celebrated the World Cup games together sharing wins and losses. One of our businesses is 88 years strong, and at least five others are more than thirty years in family businesses. 

Our businesses survived the pandemic and some have put decades into making our commercial district viable. We are only asking for the same consideration given 4th Street, whose merchants also opposed the kiosks and were given the opportunity to respectfully decline installation. The Economic Development Department's Keiron Slaughter dismissed the idea of canvassing the actual neighborhood, saying he "didn't have time." 

But it might be time to gently consider that out-of-state models of electronic exploitation not only have no place in Berkeley, but that there are successful economic models here which are much, much more valuable. Postpone this vote, council, and come meet us in an honest hearing on the subject after the holidays. You might come away with a very different appreciation of our neighborhood, which deserves more respect.