Join the fight!

Your urgent action is needed to stop a developer from tearing down the magnificent United Artists art deco theater in downtown Berkeley. It is unacceptable for the developer to preserve just a fraction of the facade and lobby and demolish the grand, four-story theater itself.

Public Pressure Blitz Before 4/22 Appeal Hearing

Save the UA Berkeley has appealed the zoning board’s legally dubious decision to let a developer raze the landmark UA building. Without the appeal to the City Council (4/22 at 6pm) the developer will be able to level the building in short order.

Email, Call, Visit, And Tag Mayor And Council Members

  • Keep sending emails and cc us (personalized email is best but here is quick form letter);
  • Call their offices to leave messages (usually it goes to voicemail);
  • Even visit them if possible;
  • Contact them individually if possible; and
  • Tag them in social media posts (be civil).

City Council contact info here.

Message To Leaders In A Nutshell

  • Follow the law and due process and don’t let a developer demolish this Art Deco treasure in the heart of the downtown.
  • The UA is a “historical resource” under state law which means the city must at bare minimum investigate ways to mitigate the impact on the theater.
  • Housing is important but it’s not necessary to break the law and destroy a landmark theater with so much promise to revitalize the downtown.

If you live in Berkeley, make that known!

In any communication, state the UA’s address: 2274 Shattuck Ave.

Again, here’s City Council contact info.

Make Noise To Increase Public Pressure

  • Tell everyone about the 4/22 appeal hearing.
  • Post on Nextdoor if you live in or around Berkeley—this is key.
  • Post on social media, sign and share our petition, etc.
  • Contact us about passing out flyers and other actions.
  • Get on our mailing list.
  • Attend the 4/22 (6 pm) hearing in person or over Zoom.

For other actions, see list below:

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. 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.

6. 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.

7. Donate

Make a donation to our Go Fund Me page. Donate