Today's Chronicle has an article by Carolyn Jones about the effort by Berkeleyites to come up with a plan to revive downtown Berkeley.
This is impossible of course since the homeless are more important to Berkelyites than jobs, safety or vital commerce. Here is a great quote:
'Berkeley is one of the most affluent, lively cities in the Bay Area, but its downtown looks more like Tombstone, Ariz., on a slow day.
Shuttered businesses dot the streets like tumbleweeds in a ghost town: Barnes and Noble. Gateway Computers. UC Theater. Soon to join their grim ranks: Ross Dress for Less and Shoe Pavilion.
"Berkeley's downtown plan has resulted in a wonderful, vibrant, mixed-use community. It's called Emeryville," said Will Travis, chairman of the city committee charged with revitalizing the beleaguered commercial district around Shattuck and University avenues.'
I commented on Berkeley, Oakland and Emeryville in an earlier blog (with a flyover video). Berkeley has modeled itself on Cuba, Oakland on Nigeria and Emeryville on 'The Best Practices of Real America.'