Downtown Berkeley is the place to be....The Downtown Renaissance is Well Underway

I thought this article, which is from 2000, is interesting in that it actually depicts downtown Berkeley as the "place to be" and makes a list of all the alleged attractions that make it so. I thought the article may help us understand the goals that were sought for downtown Berkeley then as compared to now. The article appeared on the City of Berkeley website (http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/news/2000/00jul/072500Dntwn.html)

Over the last five years, Downtown Berkeley has benefited from over $150 million in new public and private investment in its buildings and infrastructure. Some of these projects are in the planning and design phase, but many are well underway.

Along with new housing, restaurants, clubs, arts and entertainment, the area is also receiving a high-profile streetscape improvement. Approximately $2.3 million dollars from local bond Measure S will pay for a variety of improvements aimed at enhancing the pedestrian environment along Shattuck Avenue as well as the downtown thoroughfares along University Avenue and Addison Street. Combined, these exciting projects will no doubt attract the attention of residents and visitors alike!

Here's a snap-shot of what to expect.......

ARTS AND CULTURE

The Arts Scene in Berkeley is flourishing! Take a peek at what's on the horizon....

• The Berkeley Rep will complete their 600 seat main stage construction in spring 2001

• The Nevo Educational Center is about to begin rehabilitation of the lovely and historic Golden Sheaf Bakery Building to accommodate a dramatic arts educational center

• Look for the Aurora Theater to open with a 160 seat theater in the Golden Sheaf Building

• Freight and Salvage will be bringing their popular entertainment venue to 2020 Addison Street

• The Judah Magnes Museum has acquired the building at 2121 Allston Way as a site for a future new Museum

RESTAURANTS

If we haven't already whet your appetite, then perhaps the following list of hip and fabulous food establishments will!

• Cafe Centro is serving spectacular Italian cuisine

• Cafe Elodie bakery and cafe is in the Frances Kittredge Shattuck Building

• Baja Fresh serves fine Mexican food

• Venues offers a full service restaurant on Shattuck near Dwight

• Becketts plans to open in November with an Irish restaurant and bar

• The gang from Cesar's will be opening a first class restaurant/bar/jazz club at Addison and Shattuck in November

SHOPPING

Several new retailers have joined the already hot shopping district in the downtown. These include;

• Gateway Computers, Tiny Computer, Parrot Cellular, Sujaro Wholesale African and World Art, and others.

OFFICE BUILDINGS

Downtown is also an incredible place for office space. The recently retrofitted and remodeled Frances Kittredge Shattuck Building and Kaplan Building are great examples of newly restored office venues.

HOUSING

Several new and renovated buildings will combine to bring approximately 455 new downtown housing units. These include:

• the spectacular new Gaia building at 2116 Allston Way

• the Oak Court Building at 2161 Allston Way

• the Stark Hotel

• the Art-Tech building

• the Library Garden

• the Center Street Housing building

If you haven't experienced the Berkeley Downtown lately, now is a great time to reacquaint yourself with it's charm, beauty, and incredible activity!