Berkeley mayor cites zoning overhaul, new businesses and infrastructure plans as signs of momentum

Berkeley Mayor Bridget Dean on Thursday said the city is moving forward on zoning reform, business recruitment and capital planning that she and staff say will make the downtown more welcoming to residents and investors.

Dean said the City Council adopted a comprehensive strategic framework and completed an in-depth zoning ordinance update that won the Michigan Association of Planning’s public outreach award. She said the updated ordinance will let the city implement priorities in its master plan and strengthen Berkeley’s redevelopment-ready credentials for prospective businesses and developers.

Those changes come as a number of new and returning businesses prepare to open or expand in downtown Berkeley. Dean named the Berkeley Theatre, to be operated by the Roxy Theatre Group; a new Slow’s Barbecue location on 12 Mile; a Beverly restaurant from the Barbagall team; Coolidge Pharmacy, opened by a former Rite Aid pharmacist; and a late-night burger concept, Buns & Patties. “So many have chosen Berkeley to put down roots is a testament to the type of city that we strive to be,” Dean said.

Dean also highlighted capital-planning work intended to make city finances and spending more transparent. The city established a public improvement fund to set aside money for large capital purchases and released a more detailed five-year capital-improvement program so residents can see how tax dollars will be used. Dean said these improvements make the budget document more user-friendly.

On infrastructure, Dean described the state-mandated lead and galvanized (LEHI) water-service-line replacement program as a major, unfunded requirement the city is addressing ahead of the 2041 deadline. She emphasized that the expense is borne by the water and sewer fund, which can reduce money available for other projects.

Parks and small public-space activations were highlighted as community-builders. Dean noted a temporary pocket park on Dorothea Road that drew families and neighbors and said the city is updating its parks and recreation master plan to respond to public feedback.

Dean closed by thanking staff and volunteers and saying Berkeley aims to be “a caring, innovative, active and welcoming city.”