Dear supporters of Save the UA Berkeley -- 

As you know, last month a zoning board gave final approval to the housing project that calls for the destruction of the magnificent art deco United Artists theater in downtown Berkeley, CA. Yesterday we filed an appeal of that decision to the City Council. 

We are working with a top preservation attorney on this appeal. This couldn't have happened without your financial support! 

The City Council appeal hearing should happen within 90 days. We'll let you know when it's scheduled. 

While we have raised the majority of what we need to pay for at this point, we still need to raise more funds. The money is going towards legal costs, updating our website, boosting our online petition, and related measures. We're keeping a detailed accounting of the monies spent. 

Even a small amount would help if you are able to give:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-berkeleys-finest-masterpiece-from-the-wrecking-ball?attribution_id=sl:12b34811-1f42-46ef-821b-9d40dc2aff69&utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

Given the political climate in Berkeley, we are not guaranteeing a win before the City Council. But the appeal is important for various reasons including:

• There are a lot of facts that support this theater being protected under CEQA and that show due process was not followed leading up to the ZAB vote;
• Filing the appeal delays the project --and, hence, the destruction of the theater-- by several months; 
• An appeal helps keep the cause of saving the UA in the public eye; and most importantly  
• Exhausting legal remedies via this appeal is necessary to be allowed to file a lawsuit in the future.

We are not saying we are filing a lawsuit, but we want to keep that option open. 

Thanks again for your support, happy New Year, and please spread the word! 

SAVE THE UA BERKELEY
www.savetheuaberkeley.org
savetheuaberkeley@gmail.com