Dear supporters of the United Artists Theatre in Berkeley, CA! 

If you live in Berkeley or surrounding area, your presence is needed at a critical public meeting TOMORROW, Thursday February 1 at 6:30 pm in Berkeley. The developer that wants to level the building will be there speaking in opposition to us and in favor of a demolition permit! Come by yourself, or bring friends and neighbors, whatever works — just come. And wear RED if you can. 

If you can’t come, it’s not too late to write a quick email to the LPC by 6pm tonight or by 9am tomorrow at the latest — see the end of this message for more info. (Also, see links below to recent news coverage.)

Save the UA Berkeley's application to landmark the exterior of the UA theater building is set to be heard by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) at this meeting. You might have the chance to make a brief speech but regardless your presence is badly needed. 

What’s our goal? We are trying to convince the commission to landmark the ENTIRE building exterior, which is what is allowed under the landmark ordinance. As with the California theater, the LPC probably wants to landmark only the Shattuck Ave facade and call it a day. But that is not enough. The whole theater exterior deserves to be landmarked. The facade is a small part of what makes this magnificent building worth preserving for future generations. 

We are wearing red to symbolize that this theater is a VITAL, living, breathing part of the community in the HEART of the city, and demolishing it equals death. 

We are not anti housing, AT ALL. We are simply pro UA Berkeley. This theater is incredibly special and doesn’t have to be destroyed for market-rate housing that has already -- and will be -- been built elsewhere in the downtown. 

What: Landmarks Preservation Commission meeting to hear landmark application

Where: 1901 Hearst Avenue at MLK in Berkeley

When: Thursday Feb. 1 at 6:30 pm. 

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO WRITE AN EMAIL!

If you can't attend the meeting, please write a brief email to the LPC commission SPECIFICALLY in support of the landmark application: lpc@berkeleyca.gov. 

Send the email ideally by 6 pm today, Wednesday; if not, send by 9am tomorrow. 

Thank you again!!!

Save the UA Berkeley 

EMAIL GUIDANCE

For more information about the theater, a reminder that the landmark application is linked to the Take Action page of our website (www.savetheuaberkeley.org The site also contains a trove of photos, historical information and arguments in support of preserving the theater (see the History and FAQ sections).

Here is some language to email to the LPC in support of the landmark application. You can use it exactly or as an example to guide you. Remember to send this email BEFORE the Feb. 1 hearing. The email is lpc@berkeleyca.gov. 

Subject line should say something like: Letter in support of landmark application (agenda item 8) — please forward to commissioners BEFORE meeting

If you are a resident of Berkeley, please specify that in your letter! But please write even if you are from outside Berkeley. Feel free to add any other relevant info -- your connection to Berkeley, to the theater, your thoughts on the value of historic theaters, etc. We advise that you don't write negatively about housing construction. Stick to the value of the theater, etc. 

Dear LPC commissioners:

I'm writing to urge you to designate the United Artists Theatre building as a landmark. At your meeting on February 1, please vote to landmark the ENTIRE exterior of the building, as is supported by local law. 

The UA Berkeley is a paragon of Art Deco architecture that, if destroyed, can never be replaced. It was found eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and it is on the California Register of Historical Resources. The city of Berkeley recognizes it as an "architecturally significant" building and a "structure of merit."

It is the LPC's purpose to protect, preserve, and recognize buildings of high historic and architectural value. Few edifices in Berkeley are more deserving of being landmarked than this magnificent Art Deco movie palace from Hollywood's golden era.