UPDATES

May 2024:
East Bay Residents for Responsible Developmentappealed the decision to demolish The Cal.
The public hearing was June 4 at 6:30.
See further details and the latest updates on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheCal

January 2024
This website is a snapshot of the efforts made to save The California Theatre in downtown Berkeley, after it shut down in 2021. Landmark status was awarded in 2022 for the facade and marquee of the building, but not for the interior. 

The building is slated for demolition (preserving the front façade). In its place, an 18-story, 160,734-square-foot, mixed-use building with 211 dwelling units will be constructed. As of now, a 24,273-square-foot live theater space is included in the plans, home for The California Theater Consortium.

For more information about the planned building, here is the January 11, 2024 Zoning Adjustments Board Staff Report on the property. For the latest updates, look for "2113-15 Kittredge Street" in the agendas on Berkeley's Zoning Adjustments Board page.

May 8, 2022
In a meeting on May 5, the Landmarks Preservation Committee awarded landmark status to The Cal's facade and marquee only, with no protection for the rest of the building, and no limitation on the height of newly-proposed construction.

Thank you to the dozen or so members of the public who attended and spoke at the meeting. Commissioner Finacom, comparing The Cal to the Greek Theatre, presented a motion to add a note saying that The Cal possesses cultural – and not just architectural – significance. Commissioner Adams opposed the motion, citing the appearance of Theodore Roosevelt at the Greek as an example of why he opposed. Apparently for Adams, the early history of cinema, which The Cal also represents as an early T&D Theatre, is not culturally significant. Ditto the appearances of Hollywood movie stars, executives, local filmmakers, and documentarians at many of the theatre's openings and events. 

Sadly, no one on the board moved to support Finacom's motion, so it was denied.

We are disappointed, but there's plenty more to fight for, as proposed development moves through the zoning, design, and planning stages. On a good note, the prospective developers are working closely with a nonprofit performing arts consortium to create a space in the building for live performance (and some film). 

Don't sit by while the city changes around you – citizen action is the only effective check we have on thoughtless development. Watch this space for details on how you'll be able to help in the near future to make sure this building continues to be a touchstone for culture and the arts in Berkeley and the Bay Area.

April 28, 2022:
Here are the Zoom meeting details for the May 5 Landmarks Commission meeting, during which the application for The Cal's landmark status will be reviewed:

• 7pm

• https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81581770114

• To join by phone: Dial +1 669 900 6833 and enter Meeting ID: 815 8177 0114. 

• If you wish to comment during the public comment portion of the agenda, press *9 and wait to be recognized by the Chair.  

• The Cal is #1 on the agenda:
  2113 Kittredge Street – California Theatre (#LMIN2022-0001) Resume the public hearing on a request to grant designation status to a commercial property, in accordance with BMC Section 3.24.130. 

• Public comment is open to everyone and is not limited to Berkeley residents. Typically the time limit for speaking is two minutes.

• Download the full agenda here.

Please attend this meeting to voice support for keeping the theater as a cultural destination, not just as a facade for another apartment building. If you can't attend, send a letter. You can use the template we created, or use our suggested talking points to write your own letter.

Email your letter to FCrane@CityofBerkeley.info (please send your letter as an attachment so it can be printed out to put in the application) and reference Application #LMIN2022-0001.

Or, mail hard copy to:

Berkeley Landmarks Preservation Commission

c/o Fatema Crane, Secretary

Land Use Planning Division

2120 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704

April 12, 2022:
Today Friends of The Cal sent a letter, with 60 influential signees, in addition to a petition with over 400 signatures, to the Berkeley City Council, urging them to take an active part in building a coalition to preserve The Cal as an important cultural and community meeting place – if not exclusively as a movie theater, then as a hybrid, offering film, community events, and live performance. 

March 30, 2022:
The Cal’s predicament got some national exposure on ABC's one-hour primetime special, "24 Months That Changed the World.” Though the program was elegiac in tone, we think The Cal’s demise is far from a foregone conclusion. Watch the entertainment segment of the show here.