Berkeley Shellmound Site Listed as One of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

In a extraordinary turn of events, the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced today that they have placed the West Berkeley Shellmound and Village Site on their 2020 list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. “We are incredibly honored and grateful to receive this recognition for the sacred site …

Court victory: Judge rules against Shellmound developers

We are thrilled to announce that an Alameda County Superior Court judge has ruled in favor of preserving the West Berkeley Shellmound, by dismissing the lawsuit filed against the City of Berkeley by property owners Ruegg & Ellsworth and the Frank Spenger Company. The property owners had filed suit claiming …

Standing on this land together: July 4th ceremony & discussion

Standing on this Land Together: Indigenous, Settlers and Migrants Corrina Gould and the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity will lead a prayer ceremony and discussion at the West Berkeley Shellmound at 1900 Fourth Street in Berkeley on Thursday, July 4, from 10am to Noon. Corrina will talk about the history …

Developers pull out of 1900 Fourth project—yet property owners continue to pursue development

We have monumental news: Blake Griggs Properties/West Berkeley Investors have quitclaimed their interest in the 1900 Fourth property, which means they’ve dropped the project! This is cause for much celebration, however, the struggle is not over: property owners Ruegg & Ellsworth and Frank Spenger Company have stated that they intend …

How We Made the Maps

 by Chris Walker, Landscape Architect. We started with a map that was presented by Morrison & Foerster, the lawyers for Blake Griggs Properties, the developers who are proposing to build 260 apartments and 28,000 square feet of retail on the West Berkeley Shellmound Landmark site at 1900 4th Street in …

Reportback from Landmarks Preservation Commission Meeting

On April 5, 2018, Ohlone representatives—flanked by about 50 supporters—attended the City of Berkeley’s monthly Landmarks Preservation Commission meeting. On the agenda was a discussion of the zoning application submitted by developer West Berkeley Investors for a new, enlarged mixed use development at 1900 Fourth Street. Over 30 members of …