Hello Alan,
Well here we are at the end of August and school is now well underway, for our kids, our teachers, and of course the Cal students, whose return always makes Berkeley feel so much more vibrant. I am appreciating the shift in the pace and the intensity of life, and only experiencing mild grief for the end of summer vacation ☺️.
Below we have a few important updates for you, as well as some more announcements of events and meetings you may be interested in attending. Please take a look and if you come to the Solano Stroll, come by my booth and say hello! I’d love to connect with as many D5 residents as I can.
Warmly, Shoshana |
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I’m excited to join neighbors and visitors at this year’s annual Solano Stroll! Each year, more than 100,000 people gather to enjoy a mile of small businesses, entertainers, food vendors, and other community organizations. It’s one of my favorite events of the year, and I look forward to connecting with many of you there.
Feel free to stop by my office’s tent! I’ll be available to chat about any city concerns you’d like to share
I’ll also be walking in the parade, and I’d love to have your help! If you’re interested in joining me along the route, please sign up here to volunteer. |
CIVIC CENTER PARK REOPENS! |
After nearly a year of construction, Berkeley’s Civic Center Park has officially reopened. I was honored to join community members, colleagues, and city staff at the ribbon-cutting to celebrate this transformation. The park now features new flagstones, a restored Peace Wall, ADA-compliant pathways, updated irrigation, and extensive landscaping — including a green lawn, young trees, and native plant gardens.
With the fences down, Civic Center Park is ready to once again host concerts, movies, food trucks, festivals, the Saturday Farmers Market, and of course, BHS students at lunch. This long-awaited project, funded through Measure T1, state grants, and local support, is part of a broader effort to revitalize public spaces across Berkeley. |
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS IN HOPKINS AND COLUSA |
Many neighbors have reached out after last week’s collision at Colusa and Hopkins. On August 18, a 13-year-old student biking home from school was struck by a driver while crossing the intersection. The driver stayed on scene and cooperated with police. Thankfully, the student’s injuries did not require hospitalization, and he was able to return home with his parents. The incident is still under investigation by BPD. Upon hearing about the crash, my office immediately contacted Public Works to address the safety concerns at this intersection. I want to thank our Public Works crews for their quick action — within 24 hours, they:
- Installed flexible delineators at the southeast corner to keep sightlines clear.
- Repainted red curbs and added new “No Parking Anytime” signs.
- Refreshed crosswalks, stop bars, and pavement markings.
- Worked with BUSD and the school principal to ensure district vehicles are not stopping in red zones or student loading areas.
As both a Councilmember and a parent, this incident is a reminder of how important it is to make our streets safe for kids and families. Thank you to the community for raising your voices and for continuing to push for safer routes in our neighborhoods. |
CALIFORNIA & ADA - PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
In our May newsletter, we shared that Public Works had completed its safety assessment of the California and Ada intersection following the tragic loss of Elise Lusk last January. The City is now moving forward with improvements that include high-visibility crosswalks at all four crossings, new pedestrian signage, pavement striping, chevron warning signs, and reflective markers on the diverters, painted pavement guidelines, and a painted bulb-out with flexible bollards at the southeast corner. The City notified more than 150 nearby addresses about these planned improvements and invited them to provide feedback. If you didn’t receive a notice, you can still view the flyer and submit your comments online. Please share your input using this survey link on or before Friday, September 12, 2025. Please also visit the project webpage for updates. |
SOLANO AVENUE CORRIDOR WORKSOP |
As part of the City’s Corridors Zoning Update, a community workshop for the Solano Avenue corridor will take place on Wednesday, August 27, from 6:30–8:30 PM at Thousand Oaks Elementary School (840 Colusa Ave).
City planners will share updated options for how Solano Avenue could grow and evolve, reflecting feedback gathered from earlier meetings with neighbors and local merchants. This is an opportunity for residents and businesses to help shape the future of the Solano corridor — we encourage you to attend and share your vision. |
BERKELEY PATH WANDERERS ASSOCIATION |
I recently had the opportunity to join neighbors and community members in the Berkeley Path Wanderers Association on a guided walk through North Berkeley’s hidden pathways. Berkeley Path Wanderers Association is a volunteer group dedicated to preserving, restoring, and creating Berkeley’s public paths for the enjoyment of all.
Beyond walks, the Path Wanderers hosts monthly maintenance work parties where volunteers sweep paths, clear overgrowth, and remove debris. These help ensure that these paths remain clear and safe for our community. They also offer a collection of guided and self-guided walks, and their map of all public footpaths and stairways, which you can view here. |
BEREKELY FOOD NETWORK VISIT |
This month, I visited the Berkeley Food Network to learn more about the great work this organization does for our community. They’ve built up important partnerships with our local schools, shelters, and neighborhood pantries, making fresh food more accessible for families and individuals in Berkeley and across Alameda County.
If you are interested in learning more about the Berkeley Food Network or volunteering, please visit their website here. |
SEIU-UHW INFORMATIONAL PICKET |
Healthcare workers across Northern California have been organizing protests and pickets at Sutter Health facilities since August 11, calling for fairer wages, safer staffing levels, and investments in underserved communities. On August 18, frontline caregivers held demonstrations in Berkeley and Oakland, including at the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center (Ashby Campus).
My office joined the picket in Berkeley to show solidarity with these brave workers who deliver care under increasingly challenging conditions. Their demands reflect broader regional trends: workforce shortages and cost-cutting at the expense of patients and staff.
As we continue to advocate locally, I'm committed to elevating their calls for investment in healthcare staffing and equitable treatment—because healthy communities depend on healthy, supported caregivers. |
STORMWATER MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY MEETING |
The City of Berkeley is developing a Stormwater Master Plan to guide how we manage stormwater in the years ahead. This plan will address the challenges our community faces — including those related to climate change — and set priorities for projects and investments.
Public Works will host a virtual community meeting on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM (via Zoom). The meeting will cover: - The City’s role in stormwater management
- Key challenges and opportunities
- The Stormwater Master Plan’s goals and timeline
- Ways for the public to provide input
This is a chance for residents to learn more and share their perspectives. |
BERKELEY'S FIRST SUN DAY! |
Join your neighbors and community leaders for a joyful, hands-on celebration of clean energy and climate action! Sun Day isn’t just your average climate fair; it’s perfect for those of all ages and expertise.
At Willard Park on September 21st, you can try out e-bikes, solar ovens, induction cooktops, and learn from local experts on how to electrify your home and lifestyle. Families can enjoy designated kids' activities, as well as food trucks and a bike parade.
You can rsvp to be a part of this event here. |
Join the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library and your neighbors at the Big Book Sale! There will be hundreds of 50-cent books, CDs, and DVDs available on the third floor of the Berkeley Public Library. The event will be hosted on Friday and Saturday, September 19th and 20th, from 10 am to 4 pm each day. |
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