Dear Save the UA Berkeley community -- 

We wanted to forward you this letter from Allen Michaan, a member of our group who has run numerous movie theaters in the East Bay Area and currently owns the historic Grand Lake Theater in Oakland. And for your convenience we've included again the contact information to city leaders, along with talking points. Before time runs out, we must urge city officials to do the right thing and not grant the developer a sweetheart exemption to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The city is expected to finalize this fateful decision by August 30 (if not before).

Thank you!!! 

Hello all,

I have been working with this group to prevent the destruction of the United Artists theater in Berkeley.

Although multiplexed in the 70s and 80s, this art deco jewel is very restorable as the additional screens were built inside of the original auditorium leaving the side walls and ceiling intact as well as the proscenium.

Please look at the Save the UA Berkeley website to see the history of this theater and the Take Action page.

I request that everyone leave phone messages with the public officials listed. 

After all, saving an important movie palace is a cause near and dear to our hearts!

Thank you,

Allen

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CALL AND EMAIL CITY OFFICIALS, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON CALLING 

You don't have to live in Berkeley but if you do, make that clear. Leave a message -- it usually it goes to voicemail. 

Jordan Klein, planning director: 510-981-7534

Sharon Gong, head planner on project: 510-981-7429

Farimah Brown, city attorney: 510-981-6998

Anne Hersch, land use planning manager: 510-981-7411

City operator: 510-981-2489

CAN'T HURT TO EMAIL THEM AGAIN

Send in one email to all addresses below. Important to include the City Attorney this time. Again, if you live in Berkeley, make that clear. 

Use this subject line: No CEQA exemption for developer of 2274 Shattuck Ave! 

Planning manager Anne Hersch: ahersch@berkeleyca.gov
City planner Sharon Gong: sgong@berkeleyca.gov
Planning department: planning@berkeleyca.gov
Zoning Adjustments Board: zab@berkeleyca.gov
City Council: council@berkeleyca.gov
City Attorney: attorney@berkeleyca.gov 

And please cc our group: savetheuaberkeley@gmail.com

TALKING POINTS: 

--CEQA is still in effect in California and applies in this case. The planner on the project told the developer as much in a letter in January. Don't reverse your decision! 

--The UA is a landmark building whose proposed demolition requires a full CEQA evaluation under state law. No unfair CEQA exemptions for the developer! 

--Despite what the developer says, the UA theater building is in fair to good shape and there is certainly no structural reason why it must be demolished. 

--Berkeley is losing all of its movie theaters. The UA is the most architecturally and historically valuable of the three that closed during the pandemic-- it deserves a full CEQA evaluation and a chance to be preserved for future generations. 

--The public deserves a transparent CEQA process wherein the theater's historic and cultural resources are evaluated by independent experts -- not those paid off by the developer! 

PS: Please go to our Take Action page to make sure you’ve done everything on the list, and please share about this issue with your friends, family, neighbors and on social media. If you live in or around Berkeley, talk about it on Nextdoor. 

Thanks again!!!