Berkeley Weekly Update - 3/19/24

Berkeley Returns Land to the Ohlone People

The Mayor and indigenous representatives held a press conference to announce the deal last week.

In a historic deal that is one of the most significant urban land back victories in California history, the City Council approved a settlement that involves purchasing the West Berkeley Ohlone Shellmound site and giving the land to the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust. The 2.2 acre site is located at the first human settlement in Berkeley, established over 5,700 years ago. The Ohlone people and native societies across California were decimated by the Spanish Conquistadors and their missions, and later by Anglo-Americans who took over the lands. In the late 1800s through early 1900s, the Shellmound site was destroyed to line roadbeds with shells while skeletal remains and cultural artifacts were taken by UC Berkeley.

The City Council’s historic action ensures preservation and rematriation of the oldest Shellmound village site in the Bay Area, an irreplaceable cultural and historic location with significance for Berkeley, the Bay Area, and the nation. The City provided $1.5 million from the General Fund, with the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust providing the remaining $25.5 million for the $27 million deal. The site at 1900 Fourth Street is currently a surface-level parking lot. Future plans for the site include the recreation of the Shellmound and a cultural center to promote education, environmental stewardship, and preservation.

Progress on Improving Street Paving

The current **Paving Plan** places extra focus on improving road conditions in historically underserved communities.

In 2020, the City Auditor published a report on Berkeley’s road conditions, which warns that without significant additional funding, Berkeley’s streets will continue to deteriorate and become even more costly to fix. In response, the City, through Council direction, has been working on a number of policies to improve conditions across 216 miles of roads in Berkeley. In the FY23-24 budget, Council approved an $8 million annual increase in funding for street paving, increasing annually based on the Consumer Price Index. While this fund will help prevent further deterioration of roads, more funding will need to be identified to improve conditions.

The audit report provides a list of recommendations that are now in the process of being implemented. An update was recently published, showing the progress being made. This includes conducting a more thorough budget analysis to determine what funding levels are needed to meet future goals. Additional funds are being pursued, including adjusting Zero Waste rates that raise $1-$2 million annually to offset the impact of Zero Waste collection vehicles, and funding from the Clean Stormwater Fund to support green infrastructure street projects.

2024 Berkeley Restaurant Week

Berkeley Restaurant Week is back, with over 70 restaurants participating and having special offerings for any budget. Revisit old classics and discover new favorites while supporting local businesses. This year, many restaurants are providing specials on mushroom and foraged focused dishes. Berkeley Restaurant Week begins on March 21 and will last through March 31. For a full list of participating restaurants, click here.

This year, Visit Berkeley, the organizers of Berkeley Restaurant Week, is partnering with the Berkeley Food Network to raise awareness to end hunger and poor nutrition by using innovative, community-centered solutions to build a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable food system. Food insecurity has risen since the pandemic, with one in four Alameda County residents facing food insecurity. Last year, Berkeley Food Network distributed 1.6 million pounds of food to thousands of people and 87 network partners.

Affordable Housing Opportunities Under Prohousing Designation

Berkeley has taken major steps at increasing the amount of affordable housing, with over 750 below market rate units in the pipeline.

In July 2023, the Council approved an application to have Berkeley be given a Prohousing Designation from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Jurisdictions that receive this designation receive preference in funding for grants relating to housing and community development. In order to gain the Prohousing Designation, jurisdictions must have a compliant Housing Element that promotes the creation of new housing.

Last week, the Council approved a resolution to apply for funds through the Prohousing Incentive Program. The $1.25 million grant, if approved, can be used for a variety of services and programs, including but not limited to securing affordable housing through development, acquisition, and/or rehabilitation, supporting those at risk of homelessness through rental assistance, rapid rehousing, and transitional housing, support for grant administration activities that could result in future funding streams, and/or providing funds to the Housing Trust Fund. Berkeley has over 750 affordable housing units in the pipeline, and securing additional funds will be necessary to ensure timely completion of these developments.