Say Good-bye to Another Historic Building, and Lots and Lots of Trees

“Bike lanes, trees, old houses with character, interesting neighborhoods all attract the types of people who, in turn, tend to enhance the community.  Livable neighborhoods that include the above attributes (and more) are always cited in the ‘best places to live’ surveys.  When the developers and their money are gone and huge housing complexes, busy streets,  and cookie cutter businesses remain, something has been lost that cannot be replaced and your town becomes yet another anonymous, impersonal cityscape.  Think about it before its too late to preserve your town’s character.”

~ Carla Ennis, Emeryville Resident

This historic brick building at Powell and Doyle streets will be torn down (with the exception of the south and east outside walls, which will be preserved) to make room for “Parkside”, an apartment/retail development. The developer, with the city’s blessing, also plans to cut down more than 40 mature trees.

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Despite a city ordinance protecting historically and architecturally significant buildings, the city has repeatedly issued “waivers” to developers so they can tear them down.

The building has been fenced and prepared for demolition.

These mature trees, and about 40 others, will be cut down to make room for “Parkside.” Nearby residents, including Emeryville Mayor Jennifer West, have pleaded with the city to preserve at least some of the trees, to no avail.