The California Theatre, a valuable community resource and cultural destination for film and the arts, closed in October 2021. The City must act to preserve this gem, both for the health of Berkeley's downtown arts district and to protect a vital piece of Berkeley's history. 

The theater was originally built in 1914, remodeled in the Art Deco style in 1929-1930, and again in 1952, when the fabulous neon sign and marquee were added. One of the last 12 Art Deco theaters in the Bay Area still in good shape and mostly intact, The Cal serves as a grim reminder that historic movie theaters are disappearing every day, and once they are gone, they are gone forever.

With the Shattuck Cinemas’ existence rumored to be coming to an end soon, so will access to films that aren’t Hollywood blockbusters. What motivation will remain for people to leave their homes, to wine and dine downtown, before and after the show? Housing is obviously a pressing need, but shouldn’t that housing be made attractive to tenants by providing cultural and entertainment destinations that don’t involve a commute?

The California Theatre is too valuable a community resource to let slip away. Several city governments have taken vigorous roles in preserving, restoring, and finding the best suitable candidates for their endangered theatres. We need Berkeley’s City Council to step up and prevent the loss of this precious resource before it’s too late.

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