Adapting to Climate Change through a New Vision for Infrastructure

Last night, the Berkeley City Council voted to approve the Vision 2050 report, a generational approach to improving infrastructure through technological innovation that will ensure the City is prepared for the growing threat of climate change.

Vision 2050 aims to provide a framework through which the City’s infrastructure will be revitalized with the principles of equity, economic development, public health, safety, resiliency & sustainability front and center. It also calls upon the City to work with local partners, such as UC Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, to collaborate on new technological trends.

Vision 2050 was first announced in the Mayor’s 2017 State of the City as a way to develop a holistic, long-term plan for infrastructure. The Vision 2050 Task Force was formed in Spring 2018 and included over 40 Berkeley community members with technical expertise. These efforts were affirmed by the community in November 2018 with the passage of Measure R, which called on the Mayor to develop a 30-year plan to identify and guide implementation of climate-smart, technologically-advanced, integrated and efficient infrastructure to support a safe, vibrant and resilient future for Berkeley.

Affordable Senior Housing Groundbreaking

Today a groundbreaking took place on Jordan Court, a new affordable housing development that will provide 34 units of low-income housing for seniors, 12 of which will be reserved for seniors who have faced homelessness through the No Place Like Home program. The development, located at the intersection of Oxford St and Cedar St, is the culmination of a multilateral effort, including Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) and the All Souls Episcopal Parish, who provided the land for the development.

Jordan Court is one of several projects that is funded in part by Measure O. The $135 million bond, approved by Berkeley voters in 2018, has already helped fund several projects totalling 430 units, with money still available for future proposals. This includes Berkeley Way, a 142 unit development that broke ground earlier this year, which when completed will become the largest affordable housing development in Berkeley’s history. The need for affordable housing is more urgent than ever, and we are leading the way in making it easier to develop the housing that we need.

Census End Date Moves Yet Again - October 5th

In the last newsletter, it was mentioned that the deadline for the 2020 US Census was moved from September 30th to October 31st, after a federal judge ruled against the Commerce Department’s decision to shorten the deadline by a month. On Monday, the Commerce Department hit back, moving the date to October 5th. The Commerce Department claims this does not violate the judge’s order, which focuses on suspending the September 30th deadline which was determined not to be viable.

This is at least the fifth time the end date of the US Census has been changed, in a process that has been overshadowed by the COVID-19 crisis. It is not out of the question that the date could change again. Regardless of the end date, it is important to complete the census as soon as possible if you have not done so already. As of September 30, Berkeley’s self-response rate was 71.8%. In 2010, the final self-response rate was 72.3%.

Residential Parking Permit Enforcement Begins Tomorrow

Tomorrow, October 1, the City of Berkeley will begin enforcement of Residential Parking Permit (RPP) zones. Use our online portal to renew your residential parking permit or sign up for a new one before October 1, when we resume parking enforcement in residential parking permit areas.

Residents who had a 2020 permit should have received a renewal notice in the mail in August with instructions. If you did not receive a notice, contact RPP@cityofberkeley.info.

Due to COVID-19, you can only apply for and renew permits online or by mail. In-person registration and renewals are not available this year.

AC Transit to Reinstate Fares on October 19th

AC Transit recently unveiled the reNew Plan. The Plan outlines their commitment to onboard health and wellness, service and operations, communications and engagement, and technical innovations for recovery.

One key advancement of reNew includes the installation of face mask and hand sanitizer dispensers onboard. AC Transit has also began outfitting their fleet with protective barriers to help safeguard operators and riders by the farebox and while the bus is in motion. The installation of the dispensers and protective shields will be completed by Friday, October 16.

Following these upgrades, fare collection and front-door boarding will resume on Monday, October 19.

Bay Area Book Festival Presents: Berkeley #UNBOUND

This weekend, join Berkeley #UNBOUND, a one-day virtual mini-fest from the Bay Area Book Festival featuring 22 influential thinkers and change-makers from Berkeley speaking to the moment of crucible facing our nation. See Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr and comedian/activist W. Kamau Bell (CNN’s “United Shades of America”) on Sat. night Oct. 3 ($10), and then a full plate of FREE programs all day Sunday, Oct. 4: Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky on the Supreme Court, chef/food activist Alice Waters, poet/essayist Ishmael Reed, many others – on nonviolence, polarization, more. Also, Berkeley civic and community leaders (including our new library director and our poet laureate!) offer bold visions for a brighter future. Check out the lineup and register for free.

5th Annual Bay Day Adapts to COVID-19

Save The Bay and IBM Bay Area are proud to present the 5th Annual Bay Day, in partnership with San Francisco Bay Trail and AllTrails.

This year has been all about adapting and Bay Day is no exception. Bay Day is excited to bring you a new way to connect, discover and explore with a month-long Bay Day Trail Challenge from October 1 - 31. While communities can’t come together this year, we can continue to celebrate the beauty and diversity that exists throughout the region.

There’s an adventure for everyone this October with two ways to participate and more than 350 miles of open space and trails to explore. Choose the one that works best for you and yours. Complete the challenge and you’ll be entered to win our grand prize - a kayak! For more info, including registration, visit the Bay Day website.