John King is surprised to find that a bold plan for a public space has somehow squeaked through the Berkeley, CA planning process in an area between BART and campus.
The project is the last piece remaining of an extensive UC Berkeley proposal that had included a hotel, conference center and museum before the recession hit.
King writes, "the plan's less-controversial aspects include "a major public gathering place" on Center Street that would be "a model for sustainable design." And Hood has fleshed out this notion with pragmatic grace."
King dings the Bay Area for worshipping public process over quality results.
"So when an inventive approach to urban space gains traction in a city as fractious as Berkeley, I'm happily surprised.", writes King.
FULL STORY: Berkeley plan weds the natural, the practical
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