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Press Contact:
Cisco DeVries
(510) 981-7103

Update on Telegraph Avenue Revitalization
August 2006

In May, Mayor Bates and two Council Members introduced a major new effort to revitalize Telegraph Avenue.  In June, the City Council fully funded the start-up of this effort with $220,000 in city funds and $140,000 in outside funding.

We have been putting that funding to work right away.  Here is a quick update of the progress that has been made so far.

1. Public Safety and Police Presence

Both the City and UC Berkeley are significantly increasing the police presence in the Telegraph Avenue/ Southside area.

·           The City Council approved the request for $100,000 in immediate overtime funding for the Berkeley Police.

·           Berkeley Police Bicycle Police officers have been reassigned to Telegraph on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays.

·           The Berkeley Police Drug Task Force has begun a five month long effort targeting drug dealers in the area.

·           Berkeley Police officers normally assigned to office duty are now taking turns walking Telegraph Avenue.  This is providing 60 hours a week of beat police officers.

·           The UC Berkeley Police Department has hired a new Sergeant to assist and coordinate the efforts of five UCPD officers assigned to the Southside.

·           UC Berkeley Police and the Berkeley Police are now coordinating on a major education and outreach effort for incoming UC students.

2. Increase Street and Sidewalk Cleaning

The City has dramatically ramped up street and sidewalk cleaning efforts.

·           The City Council increased the budget for Telegraph and Downtown street and sidewalk cleaning by $70,000 to pay for staff overtime.

·           The new, state of the art, “green machines” begin cleaning Telegraph and the downtown in late August.

3. Improve Lighting on Telegraph and the Immediate Side Streets

Mayor Bates, city staff and merchants did a late night walk through on Telegraph and identified areas that need improvement. 

·           Several “dark” areas were identified on Telegraph, especially near the City-owned garage on Durant Street and near a bus stop on Channing Street.  Efforts to increase lighting there are underway.

·           City staff have repaired and tuned all the street lights on Telegraph Avenue and trimmed trees that may interfere with the light. 

·           The façade grant program (below) now includes funding for improved storefront lighting.

4. Create a Façade Improvement Program

·           A $160,000 Façade Improvement Program has been created.  This includes $20,000 from the City, $20,000 from the University, and $40,000 from the Telegraph Business Improvement District.

5. Streamline Permits for the Telegraph Commercial District

In response to the City Council’s request, the City is working to slash red tape for new businesses trying to open in the Telegraph area. 

·           Zoning code changes to reduce red tape are currently being acted on by the Planning Commission.  Those changes are due to the Council in late September or early October for implementation. 

6. Improve Social Service and Mental Health Outreach

·           The City Council authorized a $30,000 increase in funding for social service and mental health outreach. 

·           Currently, two additional staff people are working on Telegraph Avenue at least three days a week to help get people into services and off the street. 

·           The City is examining how it can use new mental health funding from Proposition 63 to address the needs of homeless people on Telegraph, especially the young homeless people.

7. Addressing Street Behavior

·           The increase in police, social service, and mental health services are all designed to assist in reducing problems with street behavior. 

·           Discussions are underway to examine possible changes to rules and regulations, if needed.

8. Request Property Owners Provide Rent Incentives and Coordinate to Attract New Retail Shops and Restaurants

·           City staff have been in on-going discussions with property owners and merchants on a range of efforts to attract appropriate new shops and restaurants.

9. Joint Marketing Effort

The University has teamed up with Telegraph Avenue merchants and property owners to launch an aggressive new marketing effort to draw students, staff and faculty to Telegraph to eat and shop. The new marketing effort includes brochures, events, and a new website: www.telegraphlive.com, which is going live this week.

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