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General Business Assistance

CIVIC ARTS PROGRAM
Annual grants, ongoing technical assistance and referrals for promotion, fundraising, special events and public art projects
Contact: Mary Ann Merker 981-7533

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
Loans, technical assistance, information, and referrals
Contact: Michael Caplan, Director, 981-2490

GRAFFITI ABATEMENT AND STREET CLEANUP PROGRAM
Contact the City public Work's Office for Graffiti Abatement at 981-6620 or For more information and schedule of clean-up days (644-6580)

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
Neighborhood Liaisons work directly with residents and community groups to:
Ensure efficient and effective responses to neighborhood concerns;
Assist in building the cooperative relationships necessary to maintain the strength and well-being of our community; and
Increase the involvement of citizens in addressing neighborhood problems.
Contact: Angela Gallegos-Castillo, 981-2491

MARKET INFORMATION
Economic and demographic data on request
Contact: Dave Fogarty 981-7534

OAKLAND/BERKELEY RECYCLING MARKET DEVELOPMENT ZONE (RMDZ)
Loans, technical, and permitting assistance to eligible manufacturing companies
Contact: Michael Caplan, Office of Economic Development Director, 981-2490 or Steve Lautz, City of Oakland, 238-4973

PERMIT PROCESSING ASSISTANCE
The Permit Service Center is located at 2120 Milvia Street, on the northwest corner of Milvia and Center streets, just north of the Civic Center Building. The downtown location offers easy access to parking and BART. on, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8am-5pm; Wed: 9am-5pm For more information see: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/psc/pscinfo.htm
Contact: Berkeley Permit Assistance Center 981-7500

SITE REFERRALS
Staff have developed a network of brokers and a database of properties to buy or lease
Contact: Dave Fogarty 981-7534

TRANSPORTATION
City of Berkeley staff will work with any local employer to create clean air commuting programs; and will help employers with 50 or more employees to meet the Trip Reduction Ordinance.

Berkeley Electric Shuttle Transit ----
For route and schedules, see www.westberkeleyshuttle.com Contact John Atkinson 841-BEST (841-2378)

Employee Commuting Programs and Trip Reduction Ordinance---
Contact Matt Nichols 981-7068

Transit information
See http://transit.511.org/tripplanner/index.asp or Call: 511
For information on transit tickets options and hours of service for the campus community, contact the U.C. Berkeley Parking & Transportation Department at (510) 643-7701 Monday through Friday 8 to 4:30 or see http://pt.berkeley.edu/transportation_alternatives/beartransit/index.html

Ridesharing/carpooling---
See http://rideshare.511.org or call 511

WEST BERKELEY BUILDING ACQUISITION FUND
Loans for small businesses to buy their own property
Contact: Michael Caplan, Office of Economic Development Director, 981-2490

LAND USE
If you have questions regarding the local land uses call 981-7410 for the City's Planning Department.
or see local plans on the web as here:

West Berkeley Plan
http://devcobweb/planning/landuse/plans/westberkeley/wbtoc.htm

University Avenue Specific Plan
http://devcobweb/planning/landuse/plans/uagoals.htm

Waterfront Plan
http://devcobweb/planning/landuse/plans/wpgoals.htm
Contact: City Planning's Land Use Division 981-7410

WEST BERKELEY REDEVELOPMENT
The Berkeley Redevelopment Agency (BRA) manages capital projects and financing, as well as the creation of affordable housing in the West Berkeley Redevelopment Area bound by University Avenue, I-80, and Sixth and Cedar Streets. The BRA's current efforts include pedestrian and bicycle route improvements, a circulation master plan for all West Berkeley, development of a vacant lot, and a Train Quiet Zone Feasibility.
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/planning/Redevelopment/default.html
Contact: Amber Evans 510-981-7418