How you can help

Your urgent action is needed to stop a developer from tearing down the magnificent United Artists art deco theater in downtown Berkeley. It unacceptable for the developer to preserve just a fraction of the facade and lobby and demolish the grand, four-story theater itself. Please raise awareness and increase public pressure by taking the following actions:

1. Send form letter to city officials demanding preservation of the entire UA theater

We’ve created an all-purpose letter to email to city staff and elected leaders. You can edit it or leave it as is. If you are from Berkeley please SAY SO at the bottom of letter. Sign the letter now

If you want to craft your own letter/email, please see item # 9 below for further guidance. Bonus points for sending an actual letter or postcard to city officials. Any letter should be sent to the planning department, City Attorney’s office, ZAB, and the City Council.

2. Sign our change.org petition

Please join Save the UA Berkeley in calling on city leaders to not make a mistake they would regret and preserve this theater in its entirety! Sign the petition now

3. Join the email list

You’ll receive periodic emails telling you what is going on and suggesting ways you can help. Join us now

4. Fill out our participation survey

Please fill out this short survey about ways you could possibly assist the campaign.

5. Directly engage with incumbents and challengers in this election year

The mayoral and city council races are an opportunity to raise awareness. Find a way to directly engage with incumbents as well as challengers running for election. Ask them to take a stand on preserving the UA. Ask them why city leaders are doing nothing about the closure and planned demolition of all of the city’s downtown cinemas.

6. Share on Social Media

Feel free to talk about the issue on social media, including Nextdoor—especially if you live in Berkeley. Make it clear that the ENTIRE theater should be preserved, not just the facade. Feel free to tag city leaders in your posts but keep it civil. Also, please join our Facebook group.

7. Attend meetings—online or in person

We urge you to attend, especially if you live or do business in Berkeley, the upcoming meetings of the Zoning Adjustments Board and the City Council. Arrive on time to speak during the public comments period at the start. ZAB meets twice monthly on Thursday nights at 7pm. City Council meets twice monthly on Tuesdays at 6pm. Both meetings can be attended online as well. Get on our email list to stay in the loop.

8. Donate

Save the UA Berkeley might begin soliciting donations to fund costly measures such as legal action. Stay tuned.

9. Optional: Craft your own letter to city officials, instead of (or in addition to) the form email above

It’s not necessary to be a Berkeley resident but if you are, please make that clear. For talking points, please check out the History and FAQ sections as well as the Key Points list below. Be forceful but civil. Please send ONE email to these five accounts:

And please cc our group: savetheuaberkeley@gmail.com

Subject line: Preserve the UA Berkeley (2274 Shattuck Ave.)  in its entirety!

Key points to guide you:

  • Despite operating as a multiplex in recent decades, the UA Berkeley is arguably the finest theater ever built in Berkeley and one of the few remaining Art Deco theaters of its kind in the state that could be restored.
  • The UA is a state and local historical landmark (and National Register-eligible) which means the developer’s plan must undergo extensive review under CEQA.
  • It’s unacceptable for the developer to preserve only parts of the facade and lobby while knocking down the palatial, four story theater itself.
  • The UA has the potential to be renewed as a glorious midsize live performance venue like the Paramount, energizing the downtown.
  • Or it could remain a historic multiplex movie theater. There are many options, but not if a developer is allowed to demolish it.
  • Building more housing is no doubt of vital importance but not at the cost of a spectacular landmark building.
  • The UA is currently one of three downtown cinemas slated for demolition, leaving only one movie theater left in the entire city.

Your action is greatly appreciated! Please spread the word!