Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text 1 Sep 12, 2010 8:39 PM Need wider sidewalks for outdoor seating and street trees Definitely change the restaurant permit limit issue. It makes restaurants less competitive; if you have a permit, you stay because new ones can't come in and compete. It discourages staying current 2 Sep 12, 2010 9:04 PM and investment in older restaurants, and once the restaurant business get lazy, then the whole street loses it's competitive edge. Look at Oakland. They are doing something right. Please don't let the NIMBYs and "Party of No" stop 3 Sep 12, 2010 11:06 PM improvements! 4 Sep 13, 2010 12:28 AM Signal at The Alameda should be made pedestrian safer. Upper Solano has INSUFFICIENT PARKING. That's what keeps 5 Sep 13, 2010 3:27 AM me away. I only go there as often as I do to go to La Farine bakery on Sunday mornings. It's a bit staid. I drive to Oakland to go to dinner on Telegraph (e.g. Pizzaiola, Dona Tomas) or Piedmont Ave (e.g. Dopo) rather than 6 Sep 14, 2010 3:17 AM going to Solano. Needs more cafes with outdoor seating. Needs more life in the evening. Could use a place like Oakland's Bakesale Betty's to draw traffic. I would like to see a variety of businesses on Solano that would provide local shopping for residents. An increase in the number of restaurants would not accomplish this goal. Those of us who suffer 7 Sep 15, 2010 12:39 AM from the parking woes of residents close to Solano would like to see more places that would provide neighbors with services and some necessities rather than the plethora of gift and expensive clothing fronts. It would be nice to see more retail shops, cafes, trees. Currently I go to Solano and most often frequent the same 3 establishments. 8 Sep 15, 2010 4:02 AM That said, I wouldn't want to see development that the immediate neighborhood was opposed to, their wants are a priority to me. 9 Sep 16, 2010 4:06 PM Make it a "great street:" more pedestrian friendly! 10 Sep 18, 2010 12:37 AM Increase parking 11 Sep 18, 2010 2:22 PM Needs sidewlk steam cleaning ! More trash continers More restaurants please. It's silly to spend so much time trying to get diversity of stores there, more restaurants is better than vacant 12 Sep 18, 2010 6:03 PM storefronts. I recommend increasing parking (structure or off-street lot?) also. That will reduce parking impacts on side streets. It's nice as-is, so let's be careful with changing it. (And thanks for 13 Sep 18, 2010 7:02 PM the survey!) Upper Solano has so much potential. It needs a full-service cafe, with coffee, lunch, seating, brunch, etc.... (Local 123 on San Pablo 14 Sep 19, 2010 12:37 AM at University is a great example of this kind of community- oriented, appealing cafe. More variety in shops would be welcome as well. I wish we could recreate some of the vitality that College Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text Ave. in Rockridge and Elmwood has achieved recently. I think that better streetscape planning, less vacancy, more gathering-type restaurants and spaces would be a huge asset to the North Berkeley/Albany community, and would really help build a sense of neighborhood. 15 Sep 19, 2010 3:23 AM needs another good cafe—not chain like Peets or Starbucks 16 Sep 19, 2010 5:12 AM More variety, possilby locally made wares I would love to see more lively restaurants. I would like to see a more Temescal feeling to Upper Solano - why can't all of the great 17 Sep 19, 2010 8:13 PM restaurants that are opening in north Oakland and downtown Oakland be opening on Upper Solano? I don't like taking my money to Oakland to eat with my family but I do! 18 Sep 20, 2010 10:29 PM Open up free trade Adding trees, making the sidewalks wider and encouraging more interesting shop, art galleries, kid friendly spaces, etc would be 19 Sep 21, 2010 6:28 PM great. Solano is a pretty neat street, but it has the potential to really thrive with some encouragement and investment. It might be pie in the sky, but it really is an unfeasibly wide street 20 Sep 22, 2010 4:47 PM at the upper end. Would be wonderful to put in a green median. Berkeley lacks practical, pleasant stores to buy necessities like men's and women's underwear and children's shoes. The Albany part of Solano has more functional and pleasant businesses that I 21 Sep 22, 2010 8:08 PM frequent - and with FREE parking! We go to the movie theater, the community center for kids classes, the post office, Fonda for drinks, the Ivy Room, the Hotsy Totsy, TayTah Cafe for ice cream. Parking costs should be slightly INCREASED -- the available 22 Sep 23, 2010 8:33 PM spots are almost always full, meaning there's not enough turnover. 23 Sep 23, 2010 8:43 PM wish it was like College at Elmwood! I would encourage any business that makes the street lively, safe, a place to be neighborly...so sidewalk seating is great, later hours 24 Sep 23, 2010 8:47 PM (such as the bookstore, restaurants) is good, ice cream is good. Maybe limit chain stores, but No limit on restaurants - that's silly! invite food in, keep big boxes out. Increase bus service and BART 25 Sep 23, 2010 8:48 PM shuttle to Solano. Wea alqways take out of towners to Solaho for a pleasant 26 Sep 23, 2010 8:48 PM afternoon or evening stroll College Ave has become much more desirable. Solano could be 27 Sep 23, 2010 8:49 PM the same with creative development, and it would RAISE real estate values. Berkeley has very little to offer professional women in larger sizes. I have to leave Berkeley to shop for any of my clothing. That's 28 Sep 23, 2010 8:49 PM really ridiculous. Why does Berkel;y send shoppers to malls out of town? 29 Sep 23, 2010 8:55 PM Definitely more WiFi and casual hangout spaces. It also looks a bit Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text tired. Needs moderninzing/sprucing up. 30 Sep 23, 2010 8:55 PM Remove all the restrictive zoning and open it up to new business It deperately neede revitaliztion. Nothing crazy, just a bit more 31 Sep 23, 2010 8:59 PM vibe and options. Could benefit from widening of the sidewalks creating more seating and indoor outdoor flow for cafes etc. Portland has alot of 32 Sep 23, 2010 9:01 PM this going on in many of their neighborhoods and it seems to work great. I'd like to see more retail devoted to recurring and normal consumer needs (e.g., stationery/supplies, household 33 Sep 23, 2010 9:24 PM consumabales) rather than high-ticket occasional items (e.g., carpets, furniture). This is probably a function of rents, I realize. it would be good to have the crosswalk warning signs replaced 34 Sep 23, 2010 9:28 PM when they're knocked over. Also Everything closes too early. We need more restaurants, and cafes, 35 Sep 23, 2010 9:29 PM outdoor seating and night time activity 36 Sep 23, 2010 9:33 PM Fewer rug stores & beauty supply shops! Parking fees ar outrageous and I'm sure discourage business. 37 Sep 23, 2010 9:34 PM people drive to el ceritto plaza and park for free! Everything closes too early. The target demographic seems to get 38 Sep 23, 2010 9:35 PM older, richer, and blander every year. (this box should be bigger) From 1999 to 2002, I lived on Solano 39 Sep 23, 2010 9:45 PM at Ensenada. It seemed like the shops really didn't cater to locals. After 9:00 (8 on Sundays,) it was like a ghost town. Make it a better place to shop, walk, and hang out for an hour or 40 Sep 23, 2010 9:46 PM two 1. Agressively crack down on pandhandling and loitering. 2. Let people run their businesses as they see fit without government 41 Sep 23, 2010 9:48 PM intervention. 3. Provide more parking opportunities, not less (less agressive meter maids and fewer parking meters). Restaurant permits should be granted to the business, and not the 42 Sep 23, 2010 9:51 PM location. I think that as long as there is a good and balanced mix of the 43 Sep 23, 2010 9:59 PM kinds of restaurants present, the quota can be relaxed. In today's economy, with today's outlook -- the original zoning idea (emphasis on local services) makes sense. Its rents that are the 44 Sep 23, 2010 10:00 PM main problem and "more restaurants" will either have neutral or negative effect on that. Parking is always a problem. I enjoy boutique shopping & would 45 Sep 23, 2010 10:00 PM like to stop to eat, but will not pump the meter. 46 Sep 23, 2010 10:02 PM No parking will be harder to find if addtitional restaurants/businesses 47 Sep 23, 2010 10:04 PM are added, but it will likely be worth it. the quota seems ridiculous, Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text especially considering how many nail salons there are on solano ave. i suggest a quota for nail/beauty salons! 48 Sep 23, 2010 10:04 PM face the obvious: GET RID OF THE BUMS!!!! a hi-end natl chain to anchor solano would be a good thing for long-term growth and stability - pottery barn, williams-sonoma; in 49 Sep 23, 2010 10:05 PM addition more sidewalk cafe feel for restaurants - allow outdoor heaters! I like the large flower pots VERY much -- they seem to be 50 Sep 23, 2010 10:07 PM disappearing. Many of new buinesses are very expensive & don't address daily 51 Sep 23, 2010 10:14 PM needs. Closest place to buy underwear or linens is still El Cerrito Plaza. 52 Sep 23, 2010 10:15 PM parking is a problem. and albany parking is free. Please remove the business quotas and allow more bars and 53 Sep 23, 2010 10:20 PM restaurants into our neighboorhood. I would go much more often if there were more stores with products I want, there is too much food service now, almost 54 Sep 23, 2010 10:25 PM nothing but restaurants: this is boring to meand your last question does not permit me to indicate that I am a business owner . . as if only solano bus owners matter? 55 Sep 23, 2010 10:25 PM more public transportation options or parking Has enough restaurnats, boutiques, hairdressers. Keep the 56 Sep 23, 2010 10:30 PM bookstores! Andronico's good but expensive. 57 Sep 23, 2010 10:30 PM no Allow businesses to stay open later. More live music!! I own my 58 Sep 23, 2010 10:31 PM own home 2 blocks from upper Solano and usually have to travel elsewhere for evening entertainment. I *love* that neighborhood; it's one of the best things about living in North Berkeley (along with Hopkins/Monterey area). I hate to 59 Sep 23, 2010 10:33 PM say it, but one thing that'd be nice is just a *bit* more parking. The time I spend circling the block is time I could be spending money. There are alot of restaurant options on Solano right now but too 60 Sep 23, 2010 10:44 PM many are quick service/take out Downtown Livermore has great outdoor seating and it brings out many local families (especially) during the summer. What 61 Sep 23, 2010 10:46 PM happened to Jamba Juice? Maybe a yogurt place or other inexpensive "healthy" place might help bring people out. I live in hills & walking down to Solano with a young child is not 62 Sep 23, 2010 10:47 PM always easy - so parking is also important to me. I I would like to see more bicycle parking stands. The one at KNA 63 Sep 23, 2010 10:51 PM Copy made from a former parking meter is GREAT! 64 Sep 23, 2010 10:52 PM more night life!!!! 65 Sep 23, 2010 10:55 PM love the community feel .. very small town like Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text I have lived a block and a half from Solano for the past 28 years and am so disappointed by how just a few local residents seem to be able to obstruct small businesses from opening and improving their services. Whenever I go over to Elmwood, I am always so 66 Sep 23, 2010 11:01 PM impressed with how few vacancies there are and how many people there are out enjoying their local stores/caves/restaurants. Please add more cafes and sidewalk seating. Bring us out to enjoy our beautiful neighborhood. I'd like to see Solano Ave busy and vibrant. Short sighted quotas 67 Sep 23, 2010 11:02 PM aren't helping lift this area out of its economic trouble. 68 Sep 23, 2010 11:06 PM retailers should do needs assessments before opening 69 Sep 23, 2010 11:06 PM make the street car free! it is a wonderful neighborhood but the landlords are facing 70 Sep 23, 2010 11:07 PM declining vacancies in part to excessive rents for properties no one can afford. And the sidewalks get rolled up way to early at night. 71 Sep 23, 2010 11:07 PM Sidewalks need repairing Higher quality establishments like William Stout books, Scream 72 Sep 23, 2010 11:08 PM ice cream, and La Farine, and better retail shopping establishments are would bring me to Solano more often 73 Sep 23, 2010 11:08 PM I find it a pleasant place to dine and shop. 74 Sep 23, 2010 11:08 PM No bars / taverns--EVER!!! 75 Sep 23, 2010 11:08 PM Many of the restaurants are tired - and there are NO cafes! We should be more like europe...outdoor seating...clusters of 76 Sep 23, 2010 11:08 PM gourmet places....the limitation on food establishments is ridiculous.... 77 Sep 23, 2010 11:09 PM get rid of the parking meters Get rid of the panhandlers; while a wider variety of stores would 78 Sep 23, 2010 11:09 PM be nice I don't think they are economically sustainable. Allow more restaurants. 79 Sep 23, 2010 11:10 PM I use the pet store, Andronicos, restuarants,book stores 80 Sep 23, 2010 11:10 PM Aggressive panhandling has been very intimidating at times. I would hate to see it become Rockridge on one hand, and San 81 Sep 23, 2010 11:10 PM Pablo on the other 82 Sep 23, 2010 11:10 PM no 83 Sep 23, 2010 11:11 PM Many wonderful restaurants reside there (Ajanta,Zachary's, etc.) I love ice cream and miss the two ice cream shop that were on 84 Sep 23, 2010 11:11 PM upper Solano long ago. perhaps quota on beauty supply and hair cut/salons instead of 85 Sep 23, 2010 11:13 PM restaurants. 86 Sep 23, 2010 11:14 PM no I live near Indian Rock and have enjoyed walking on all of Solano 87 Sep 23, 2010 11:15 PM Avenue for 38 years. It is not broke, so be careful fixing it. I like the peacefulness so I'm dubious of more entertainment that draws Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text crowds from elsewhere. More businesses that are small and local would be great. The real problem all over Berkeley is that it is very challenging to staff 88 Sep 23, 2010 11:15 PM stores with decent help (can't pay enough) and cover excessive berkeley rents. 89 Sep 23, 2010 11:15 PM panhandlers are annoying I would like to see a small hardware store and a small green- grocers and fewer gift shops (although I love Lave 9). And let's get 90 Sep 23, 2010 11:16 PM that Goodwill shop opened, with a place to drop off donations. Thanks! 91 Sep 23, 2010 11:16 PM keep the post office 92 Sep 23, 2010 11:16 PM I enjoy being there when I go. The very top going west always is congested due to the crosswalk 93 Sep 23, 2010 11:16 PM at Andronicos. Something better should be figured out. 94 Sep 23, 2010 11:17 PM more mixed activity - more 'middle class' not so exclusive I'm concerned that more eating establishments don't knock out 95 Sep 23, 2010 11:17 PM current ones, including those on lower Solano Avenue, such as ice cream and hamburgers. 96 Sep 23, 2010 11:17 PM Berkeley discourages new business everywhere, not just Solano. I love the fact that there small businesses offering unique services 97 Sep 23, 2010 11:18 PM in the Upper Solano area. sure could use a hardware store. would love to see off stree 98 Sep 23, 2010 11:19 PM parking to make the avenue more people friendly. doubt there is space though 99 Sep 23, 2010 11:22 PM more restaurants with outside seating 100 Sep 23, 2010 11:22 PM It's a great, vital retail area and should be nurtured. 101 Sep 23, 2010 11:22 PM close off to cars from time to time I like the wide range of services, not sure if goodwill is a a good 102 Sep 23, 2010 11:23 PM idea 103 Sep 23, 2010 11:27 PM We don't need high-end retailers. 104 Sep 23, 2010 11:27 PM It looks slummy. 105 Sep 23, 2010 11:28 PM starting to look dour - needs to be spruced up panhandling is a real problem - and a disincentive to walk upper 106 Sep 23, 2010 11:28 PM Solano 107 Sep 23, 2010 11:31 PM No 108 Sep 23, 2010 11:31 PM Post more signs about NO SMOKING and enforce I think upper Solano should have more high quality restaurants and shops. College Avenue at Ashby and especially in the Rockridge 109 Sep 23, 2010 11:32 PM area. These are vital fun areas because there are good markets and cafes and restaurants. Try to challenge (HA!) Berkeley's silly business model that does 110 Sep 23, 2010 11:32 PM everything possible to discourage enterprise and business development. See what happened to Telegraph Ave. and Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text downtown Berkeley. The present City Council seems to like it and will make Solano look the same. the area could be quite the attractive shopping/dining area. I would 111 Sep 23, 2010 11:32 PM love it to be more of a local hangout with a variety of affordable dining/cafes and shopping. 112 Sep 23, 2010 11:32 PM It took way too long to get seating outside of Peets 114 Sep 23, 2010 11:35 PM FREE ONE-HOUR PARKING. GET RID OF BOXES Sidewalk plantings that are maintained would be a big improvement in addition to or as an alternative to trees. Also 115 Sep 23, 2010 11:36 PM cleaner sidewalks. Need an alternative way to deal with garbage/trash instead of cans on sidewalk. Cite bicyclists who bike on sidewalks. It is illegal and dangerous for pedestrians. 116 Sep 23, 2010 11:40 PM Hope we can keep the chains out! Almost no disabled parking. So, although I live right here I rarely 117 Sep 23, 2010 11:41 PM shop here. the more restaurants, the better. Don't need more hair salons, 118 Sep 23, 2010 11:41 PM Tibetan gift shops, or rug galleries. Great street. Narrow sidewalk makes more seating difficult. Could 119 Sep 23, 2010 11:42 PM use more night life after 10pm (change district hours: 7-10), higher density housing. 120 Sep 23, 2010 11:42 PM permit process unrealistic Keep the Post office, make No Left Turn westbound from Solano 121 Sep 23, 2010 11:43 PM to Colusa., require businesses to give employees BART or bus passes to ease the neighborhood parking problem. I have a PO box at Landscape, and I'd love to know as soon as 122 Sep 23, 2010 11:43 PM possible if it's closing. A stoplight at the corner of Colusa, where the gas station is, would 123 Sep 23, 2010 11:46 PM make it safer for both cars & pedestrians. 124 Sep 23, 2010 11:46 PM no 125 Sep 23, 2010 11:49 PM parking laws are too agressive and discourage shoppers I was on College Ave today....and wishing Solano had the variety 126 Sep 23, 2010 11:50 PM of shops that College does I hope that landlords will not charge so much rent as to drive out a diverse group of tenants. I am averse to high end hair/nail 127 Sep 23, 2010 11:52 PM establishments and exclusive strores. I would like to see more family friendly business features like Pegasus has or the cafe down Solano that has kids play space. I dislike the parking system requiring extra time to pay and 128 Sep 23, 2010 11:56 PM ruthless meter "maids" 129 Sep 23, 2010 11:57 PM The current parking rate of $l.50/hour is excessive. too many panhandlers, maybe they could find employment on 130 Sep 23, 2010 11:58 PM solano because some of them have been in the same location for many years. Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text 131 Sep 23, 2010 11:58 PM bookstore and movie theater need more bicycle parking racks My guess is that high rents have made it difficult for a lot of stores-drove the hardware store out years ago. I also hear from 132 Sep 23, 2010 11:59 PM business people about high city fees etc. making it difficult to open a business anywhere in this city. What is the quota on food establishments; I don't have enough info 133 Sep 23, 2010 11:59 PM to really say, but it should not all go to food Due to a combination of too high rents , lack of parking, lack of night lif/entertainment, and street imporvements including trees and amenities, Solano is not fulfilling its potential. I recommend 134 Sep 24, 2010 12:01 AM soliciting evening entertainment spots, building underground parking garages, and sprucing up the streets with trees, benches, artworks, and landscape features. solano si pleasant, but a little dull. 135 Sep 24, 2010 12:03 AM Stop the panhandling in front of the post office !!! What are you calling Upper Solano? to which x-street. this mades 136 Sep 24, 2010 12:04 AM the survey void if you we're only talking about the first few blocks. I consider Upper Solano to be all of Solano that is in Berkeley. More parking would help. I would take a bus there, but i live up 137 Sep 24, 2010 12:05 AM Marin and no buses go that way. Solano has enough restaurants and shops. It's pleasant to be there as it is. I do not feel the City should consider spending money at this time on making Solano more attractive; people just don't have the money to spend (and remember, city services like pools are 138 Sep 24, 2010 12:07 AM being cut). Leave Solano as is for the time being, and consider renovations later. All the Solano shops that closed are overvalued/too expensive. How about rent controls for small business spaces?? 139 Sep 24, 2010 12:08 AM The bump-out outside of Peet's has aggravated the traffic mess. 140 Sep 24, 2010 12:09 AM More VARIETY in type of restaurants - too much Asia 141 Sep 24, 2010 12:14 AM Payment for parking is a pain Please make it possible for restaurants etc to stay open late and 142 Sep 24, 2010 12:14 AM have outdoor seating on the sidewalk. Consider closing portions of the street to traffic on Sundays...? 143 Sep 24, 2010 12:15 AM later closing times might be helpful 144 Sep 24, 2010 12:18 AM We need the Dance/ Exercise studio back again/IMPORTANT 145 Sep 24, 2010 12:18 AM seating+restaurants+browsing=lingering+shopping+liveliness 146 Sep 24, 2010 12:19 AM expensive!!!!! 147 Sep 24, 2010 12:22 AM not really, but i guess,... not really It's all about pedestrians, street cafes, trees, and businesses open at 148 Sep 24, 2010 12:23 AM night. The intersection of Solano and Colusa (entering from the south) is 149 Sep 24, 2010 12:24 AM challenging. it might be useful to have a stop sign on solano at that Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text location, both to facilitate cars entering from colusa, and for pedestrian safety crossing solano many more trees & flowers planted & sitting area similar to what 150 Sep 24, 2010 12:25 AM is at Peet's now 151 Sep 24, 2010 12:25 AM Missing: children's shoe store Very much like the small-town feel and would like to encourage 152 Sep 24, 2010 12:25 AM more independently operated businesses 153 Sep 24, 2010 12:25 AM love the area - great feel It's a wonderful district, and I'm happy that people are thinking 154 Sep 24, 2010 12:27 AM about how to make it even more attractive. Thank you! 155 Sep 24, 2010 12:30 AM parking is expensive I especially like seating because it makes it more people friendly 156 Sep 24, 2010 12:34 AM and slows car traffic b/c more people are out Solano at Colusa heading east is porrly laid out & confusing with 157 Sep 24, 2010 12:37 AM left turn only lane, straight ahead right lane that then jogs left a gain above Colusa. not well planned. Would like to see more down to earth stores. Real shoes, luggage, hardware, drug store. The new one lower down is minimal in its 158 Sep 24, 2010 12:37 AM offerings compared to a full size one like the cvs on shattuck or the walgreens on shattuck. Real store, not just boutiques. would bring me down there more. more police presence, too many people cross double yellow to 159 Sep 24, 2010 12:38 AM make u turns 160 Sep 24, 2010 12:38 AM how many hair/nail salons does this area need? I love being able to walk to a great bakery, pizza, indian and 161 Sep 24, 2010 12:39 AM grocery store! Having a pub or other type of sports bar type place would be a great addition. A nice place for breakfast would be nice, like old Cafe del Sol. Restaurants seem to do best, so getting rid of the limit would be 162 Sep 24, 2010 12:40 AM good. Keep them modest, though -- not too upscale. Keep them neighborhood restaurants. high commercial rents are probably a problem and affects the kind 163 Sep 24, 2010 12:44 AM of business that can come in. The city owes it to businesses to adopt a more friendly attitude about parking. I wish I didn't feel sneaky patronizing other establishments while 164 Sep 24, 2010 12:48 AM using the Andronico's parking lot, even though I usually buy a bagful at Andronico's. 165 Sep 24, 2010 12:52 AM Meters are a deterant thus avoid shopping upper Solano 166 Sep 24, 2010 12:59 AM Solano Stroll has gotten TOO big and lasts too long! Bring back hardware store, later night hours, ice cream parlors, 167 Sep 24, 2010 1:01 AM liquor store! eliminate parking meters, rent control for businesses, eliminate 168 Sep 24, 2010 1:03 AM panhandlers Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text More cafes & restaurants!!!more street life!!! compare with college ave/elmwood which is so much more lively. It's taken 169 Sep 24, 2010 1:03 AM Solano the 26 years I have lived in Berkeley to start gaining some life...... it used to be dead, and its dead after 9 pm now 170 Sep 24, 2010 1:07 AM no 171 Sep 24, 2010 1:07 AM Wi Fi at bus stops is OK. NOT OK in restaurants 172 Sep 24, 2010 1:07 AM 1) Need hardware store 2) Remove beggars 3) No smoking 173 Sep 24, 2010 1:07 AM We need a stoplight at Colusa There is no space to comment on question 12 below so I'll put it 174 Sep 24, 2010 1:10 AM here. I ticked Solano property owner, but it's more accurate to say I own property near Solano Ve. 175 Sep 24, 2010 1:10 AM more trees and outdoor eating would be great, bike lanes would like a drug store or hardware store; would go to the movies 176 Sep 24, 2010 1:11 AM there, but like the foreign films shown at the theater on lower Solano Avenue. The parking restrictions make it difficult to spend time there.mi get a haircut and then a cup of coffee and there is no time actually 177 Sep 24, 2010 1:12 AM shop or hang out. Seems a counterproductive way to encourage people to spend time. e 178 Sep 24, 2010 1:12 AM In general, I do less shopping everywhere 179 Sep 24, 2010 1:12 AM Should be easier to get things started there. the increase in late evening hours has really helped build up the 180 Sep 24, 2010 1:15 AM neighborhood, making it feel safer and livelier 181 Sep 24, 2010 1:16 AM Parking is awful 182 Sep 24, 2010 1:19 AM I'd love hardware store... 183 Sep 24, 2010 1:25 AM I love it! Rents should be lowered to allow new businesses a start. 184 Sep 24, 2010 1:29 AM I believe there are more vacancies because the rent is too high. Parking is horrible. The bus service in North Berkeley is a joke. There is almost no bus service to the hills. I wouldn't go, and if I were there I would leave if I could not find parking. That's why I don't go to downtown Berkeley anymore. It is ridiculous to expect 185 Sep 24, 2010 1:30 AM people to pay several dollars to park in a garage just to pick up a burrito on the way back from work on a Friday night. The police should strictly enforce traffic rules. People stop wherever they want, double park, make u-turns in the middle of the road to get parking spaces. 186 Sep 24, 2010 1:35 AM Relax. Economy is slow everywhere. Don't "try" too hard. Upper Solano would do better if it was more than a couple of blocks long and had a better link to middle Solano which is a dead 187 Sep 24, 2010 1:36 AM zone. The street front residential and office units aren't good in a commercial district, at least on the 1st floor. It would be nice to have a breakfast place on upper solano. None 188 Sep 24, 2010 1:37 AM of the existing restaurants serve breakfast. Thank you for this Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text survey. TONA has held Solano hostage for much, much too long. One of the reasons I sometimes avoid Solano is because my 189 Sep 24, 2010 1:46 AM IPhone doesn't get adequate reception there. Please allow more cell antennas on Solano! 190 Sep 24, 2010 1:47 AM Control the serious impact of traffic to the neighborhood. 191 Sep 24, 2010 1:48 AM happy about the ice cream place coming. In re: stores on Solano, I think anything but vacant is a GREAT 192 Sep 24, 2010 1:50 AM thing. 193 Sep 24, 2010 1:50 AM WE NEED A HARDWARE STORE!!!! I live on Solano - the cigarette smoking is AWFUL! People walk up and down the street and dump their butts on our front doorsteps 194 Sep 24, 2010 1:52 AM and in our planter boxes. PLEASE put a garbage can on the NW corner of Solano across from Safeway - all their garbage comes right into our front yard! I am excited about the new ice cream shop. Parking is challenging 195 Sep 24, 2010 1:53 AM if we run over to pick up takeout food for dinner. 196 Sep 24, 2010 1:54 AM more parking would be helpful Landlords should charge businesses less rent during this economic 197 Sep 24, 2010 1:59 AM downturn to minimize vacancies. 198 Sep 24, 2010 2:01 AM Less espensive shops. How about a hardware store? I love solano avenue and think it is a wonderfu place to shop, eat, 199 Sep 24, 2010 2:04 AM visit 200 Sep 24, 2010 2:05 AM If restaurants can succeed, let them! The basic street design with angled parking is a mess and makes 201 Sep 24, 2010 2:07 AM the street congested and slow. The street itself is wide and that makes crossing less than pleasant. Given the competition from mail order and big boxes, the rents are 202 Sep 24, 2010 2:08 AM just too high for most retail. We don't need more high end shops selling expensive items 203 Sep 24, 2010 2:10 AM nobody wants. We need shops that actually serve the community. And what about a few that cater to teens and young adults? We are in an economic downturn. Time & the marketplace will equalize rents, etc. and bring the area back. Less taxes & 204 Sep 24, 2010 2:14 AM regulations of businesses will help. Any ideas which include taxing more to provide a better situation will likely backfire. 205 Sep 24, 2010 2:15 AM GET RID OF 9:00 CURFEW, IT'S RIDICILOUS 206 Sep 24, 2010 2:18 AM Whenever I see vacancies, I attibute it to excessive rent 207 Sep 24, 2010 2:19 AM The lack of trees is unpleasant. The restaurant quotas are silly. I do not like the new parking system. I have never used it once. 208 Sep 24, 2010 2:23 AM Prefer to walk or avoid going to Solano 209 Sep 24, 2010 2:26 AM Keep the Post Office! My child goes to school at Thousand Oaks so I also have concerns 210 Sep 24, 2010 2:30 AM about childrens' safety while crossing the street to get to school. Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text 211 Sep 24, 2010 2:37 AM I use at least 50% of the businesses. It's a sweet area of Berkeley. one more thing: it would be a good idea to provide more housing on solano avenue by increasing the height of buildings on the 212 Sep 24, 2010 2:43 AM street to permit two to five floors of apartments above all of the shops. this would be a transit friendly way to increase the density and the customer base for solano avenue businesses. I think the quota is ridiculous!!!! Let risk taking business people decide whether to open a store. After years of negotiating La Farine is packed and still standing 4 furniture stores closed. The market actually can work and if the busy north berkeley citizens support food establishments so be it . The foot traffic benefits the 213 Sep 24, 2010 2:44 AM other retailers and evening enterntainent and makes us all feel safer. The fact that an ice cream store is struggling to open when people line the block in elmwood for ice cream is shocking. Solano needs to fill the empty stores so we can encourage local shopping. The longer the shops are empty the more people will shop elsewhere and drive vs. walk. 214 Sep 24, 2010 2:51 AM To many nail shops and other personal care businesses. 215 Sep 24, 2010 2:59 AM I would like some more "down-scale" retail. 216 Sep 24, 2010 2:59 AM It could be better, but still a pleasure! 217 Sep 24, 2010 3:01 AM Support the Oak Theatre somehow; I don't know how they survive 218 Sep 24, 2010 3:01 AM It is lacking in good clothing stores. 219 Sep 24, 2010 3:04 AM love pugnacious, oaks theater, and nature's express I tend to use Albany Solano more because of free parking and 220 Sep 24, 2010 3:10 AM specific businesses, eg Supercuts merchants need to do a better job of keeping the buildings & 221 Sep 24, 2010 3:11 AM sidewalks clean! take out food trash fills cans to overflowing at TO school and other trash cans, need more trash cans and more pickup of loose trash on 222 Sep 24, 2010 3:12 AM streets, cleaner sidewalks, wider sidewalks, deliveries using Station Place access should be limited We detest the Solano Stroll! a nightmare for those of us who live here--please move it somewhere else. Also, way too many expensive stores selling stupid stuff like overpriced pet supplies, 223 Sep 24, 2010 3:12 AM overpriced baby clothes, overpriced shlocky "home" junk. More reasonable, not tacky, not chains, restaurants would be great. No chain stores, please! No chain restaurants either! We love "Stash." La Farine, Peets, etc. There are way too many weird "salons." We go to Chase bank frequently; chop at Andronico's occasionally, 224 Sep 24, 2010 3:15 AM at Safeway more often. love book store and card store would like a commmunity space for 225 Sep 24, 2010 3:16 AM events... 226 Sep 24, 2010 3:18 AM Instead of more beauty salons, a hardware store would be good. Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text I hope the bookstores are able to remain. Filling vacancies is more important than limiting restaurants. A variety of restaurants creates vibrancy. There should be more than Fonda open late. Could there 227 Sep 24, 2010 3:20 AM be an entertainment space? I feel safe. The panhandlers don't bother me, but when people essentially have a "job" panhandling at a certain space, I believe that should be discouraged. 228 Sep 24, 2010 3:21 AM Need a good coffee house on upper Solano 229 Sep 24, 2010 3:22 AM No chain stores or restaurants ever 230 Sep 24, 2010 3:26 AM I miss the book stores. Happy to see ice cream coming back. It has been for the past 40 years and continues to be a marvelous 231 Sep 24, 2010 3:28 AM place. Sufficient parking at peak hours remains the greatest obstacle to my frequency of visits to the area. At peak hours upper Solano is 232 Sep 24, 2010 3:29 AM not a place I want to take my family. Walking on mid Solano in Albany is more appealing with the kids and less a hassle. 233 Sep 24, 2010 3:31 AM would love more cafes with sidewalk or other seating grafitti/high rents limit what businesses can go in. Most seem 234 Sep 24, 2010 3:31 AM doomed to fail and not the best ideas. Despite the vacant buildings, I think Upper Solano is a great place! I like some the newer stores, like Urbanity quite a lot, and the 235 Sep 24, 2010 3:32 AM buildings which were remodeled, like the La Farine Building were done tastefully. I think it is a bummer when people oppose local businesses, like the ice cream shop that is going to open soon. I would like to see it better served by public transit. I would come 236 Sep 24, 2010 3:34 AM more often. This may be more of a problem with transit routes than anything. 237 Sep 24, 2010 3:34 AM Put blinking lights on all cross walks. frustrated that the wonderful dance/yoga studio was chased out and 238 Sep 24, 2010 3:43 AM the building is still vacant getting rid of panhandlers would be a great improvement. same 239 Sep 24, 2010 3:43 AM people over and over 240 Sep 24, 2010 3:48 AM Need a good shoe repair shop. 241 Sep 24, 2010 3:49 AM I would like a hardware store and more book stores 242 Sep 24, 2010 3:50 AM More family friendly restaurants, more outdoor seating 243 Sep 24, 2010 3:50 AM Needs more evening hot spots!!! We could use a good drink! It would be nice to have more stores, such as a hardware store, that 244 Sep 24, 2010 3:52 AM serve the day to day needs. And a coffe shop with an abundance of comfortable indoor and outdoor seating. I find the meter maids unreasonable..you barely have time to buy a 245 Sep 24, 2010 3:54 AM parking ticket before they starting writing your car a parking ticket! The parking meter and parking tickets are the reason I don't go to 246 Sep 24, 2010 3:55 AM Solano more often. The meter people are particularly nastyand Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text unreasonable, even writing tickets for things like one's license plate frame. They would rather have ticket revenues, than commerce. There should be free parking. 247 Sep 24, 2010 3:58 AM too much concrete & pavement. 248 Sep 24, 2010 3:58 AM no 249 Sep 24, 2010 3:58 AM Outdoor seating makes a safer neighborhood! 250 Sep 24, 2010 3:58 AM Neighborhood stores not just food restaurants 251 Sep 24, 2010 3:59 AM ice cream + movie = fun night out let the ice cream store open Sidewalk trees would greatly enhance Solano as do the trees on 252 Sep 24, 2010 4:05 AM Solano in Albany. 253 Sep 24, 2010 4:07 AM maintain building sizes I would like to see a plan to have off street parking. Most well know commercial areas, such as Piedmont Avenue, has this. We 254 Sep 24, 2010 4:09 AM would like to see upper Solano be more vibrant, like College Avenue. sidewalks need repair; alternatives for sidewalk trash cans - alleys behind stores, perhaps? would love Solano to be more pedestrian 255 Sep 24, 2010 4:10 AM friendly; crosswalk @ Peet's is a tragic accident waiting to happen; I'm a Berkeley property owner about 1 pedestrian mile from the top of Solano. Please improve ped/bike safety on Colusa from vehicles exiting 256 Sep 24, 2010 4:11 AM Andronico's Pkg lot (bump or stop sign needed?). It's important that we maintain Upper Solano as the wonderful neighborhood retail area that it is. It is one of the reasons we 257 Sep 24, 2010 4:12 AM moved to this neighborhood 17 years ago and one of the best parts about living where I do. Would like it to be cleaner, more lively, more restaurants and 258 Sep 24, 2010 4:13 AM shops We could use a nice white table cloth restaurant, like Christoper's 259 Sep 24, 2010 4:13 AM of old. The parking is the worst - people duck in and out - it makes 260 Sep 24, 2010 4:23 AM driving on Solano scary, and that's the main reason I don't go there more often 261 Sep 24, 2010 4:27 AM need a terrific hardware store. We should create paradise gardens, with balance of edible and flowering plants/trees. This could be available to homeless, and 262 Sep 24, 2010 4:30 AM panhandlers as well as anyone else. Call me so we can talk. San Francisco has started community gardens, and they are what our planet needs. 510 685 0695 or [email protected] 263 Sep 24, 2010 4:32 AM we need an ice cream place and we need a brunch place! If shops are closing it is because both, the economy is bad and 264 Sep 24, 2010 4:34 AM landlords prefer empty buildings to lower rents. The site for Black Oak Books has been empty for well over a year for just this reason. Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text 265 Sep 24, 2010 4:34 AM parking...free like albany...miss Half Price Books next to Pegasus the same pan handlers have been outside peets for 10 years. Why 266 Sep 24, 2010 4:35 AM are they allowed to be there? 267 Sep 24, 2010 4:36 AM more interesting shops, MORE COMMUNITY ART, more trees 268 Sep 24, 2010 4:37 AM I would love to prioritize outdoor seating and more plants/trees. 269 Sep 24, 2010 4:39 AM panhandelers are an unpleasant deterant to businesses Wondering if a hardware store could make it here again, & if 270 Sep 24, 2010 4:41 AM there's enough room. Although I'm a long-time berkeley resident, I find lower Solano 271 Sep 24, 2010 4:42 AM more attractive. I have always found upper Solano to be very diverse and 272 Sep 24, 2010 4:45 AM interesting. 273 Sep 24, 2010 4:52 AM would like more clothing, accessories, and more places to sit 274 Sep 24, 2010 4:54 AM yes, pls do what you can to bring more business 275 Sep 24, 2010 4:56 AM more banners from streetlights I miss the ice cream parlors and hope the movie theater can 276 Sep 24, 2010 4:58 AM remain. 277 Sep 24, 2010 5:01 AM i love having fit light on the ave. The one thing I hate now about upper Solano is the new parking meters. I mostly tend to bypass upper Solalno and head for Albany and El Cerrito Plaza because I refuse to have to walk back and forth from car to meter to car to where I want to go and then worry 278 Sep 24, 2010 5:02 AM about a ridiculously expensive ticket AFTER I've been inconvenienced and forced to walk back and forth for what is usually a quick errand. Maybe building owners need to lower rents so that businesses could move in. More restaurants would be ok with me. 279 Sep 24, 2010 5:03 AM it seems to work well as is the more open the quota regulations are, the more we'll all benefit 280 Sep 24, 2010 5:05 AM from natural selection would love more restaurant variety - btw Gordo and Rivoli in 281 Sep 24, 2010 5:05 AM terms of price. 282 Sep 24, 2010 5:13 AM Like the variety of businesses, esp book store fill those empty spaces - landlords must lower their rents - many 283 Sep 24, 2010 5:30 AM don't even return inquiry phone calls 284 Sep 24, 2010 5:35 AM always enjoyable. 285 Sep 24, 2010 5:35 AM Would like more restaurants We need more businesses that cater to family and neighborhood. Gathering spots for community members. Clean up the dog 286 Sep 24, 2010 5:38 AM leavings. Stop the aggressive soliciting for money by organizations door to door and stationed on Solano. I rarely shop here because everything is too expensive and 287 Sep 24, 2010 5:40 AM "precious" If the stores were more functional and parking made Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text easier, they would be full! Also, do something more about the Colusa Intersection (the striping is an improvement, but...) - the southern section of Colusa needs to be in on the signal and the croswalk at Peets should be on a walk signal. It's blighted! Tired of the 'Gordon available' signs, the complaints from small business owners about how hostile and disagreeable greedy landlords are. It's like a ghost town in the evenings. Compare this to the Elmwood, or Rockridge, for example. Who 288 Sep 24, 2010 5:41 AM allowed a large 'beauty supply ' store to occupy a storefront with a smaller one just across the street??!!?! Talk about zoning! The restaurants should not be zoned as such! And now, sadly, that business is going out of business. WE do not want to see small businesses fail, but instead succeed. I come to Solano Ave much less frequently now than in the past due to the increasingly overzealous enforcement of parking 289 Sep 24, 2010 5:43 AM regulations. I was ticketed for a parking permit that had expired only one minute before the ticket was issued. This is not the way to encourage visitorship. 290 Sep 24, 2010 5:44 AM 90 minute parking like Albany will bring business!! 291 Sep 24, 2010 5:46 AM I am happy an ice creaam store has returned to Solano Ave. 292 Sep 24, 2010 5:47 AM Too many rug stores, beauty supply, Hair salons..doomed to fail. A Gift shop might do well, more women's clothing (less 293 Sep 24, 2010 5:47 AM expensive) Perhaps the retail rents are too high. Building owners should be fined for vacant storefronts if they have turned down reasonable offers from merchants. I would like to see some activity restored to 294 Sep 24, 2010 5:51 AM the former world dance center such as a dance/yoga studio and/or art center. I am sure these storefronts would be filled if the rents were not so high. 295 Sep 24, 2010 5:54 AM Traffic MUSST be addressed 296 Sep 24, 2010 6:02 AM love Zacharies and the bookstore!! Really miss Oh Baby! Outdoor seating would bring more people to the area and really 297 Sep 24, 2010 6:02 AM make Solano more fun A successful merchant is better than an empty storefront, but of course it's a slippery slope. Relaxing quotas for merchants should 298 Sep 24, 2010 6:03 AM be considered, within reason. I wouldn't want to see another faceless chain store (e.g. CVS) 299 Sep 24, 2010 6:06 AM Really tired of the panhandlers, same guys for years. Enough! I am sick of the panhandlers. Some days it feels like walking a 300 Sep 24, 2010 6:15 AM gauntlet. I would like to see more cafes (not necessarily restaurants) for 301 Sep 24, 2010 6:25 AM casual, social interactions. I love Solano Ave. and am sad to see so many vacancies. I think 302 Sep 24, 2010 6:25 AM businesses that are economically sustainable need to be added (i.e., Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text they are not so specialized that they will easily go under in a down economy) There is a traffic hazard when cars parked in front of the soon-to- open ice creamery are backing out. Drivers on n/b Colusa turning left onto Solano are looking both ways to enter traffic and do not see the cars backing out until the last second. Also at that intersection, there is a merge traffic sign for e/b Solano traffic, 303 Sep 24, 2010 6:38 AM right before the crosswalk at Peets. I have often seen drivers speeding up to merge ahead of the car in front and nearly hit pedestrians. I also think the Solano Stroll is losing its appeal on many levels, including introducing unwelcome elements into the neighborhood. 304 Sep 24, 2010 7:04 AM Out of town guests love being taken to Solano Avenue. 305 Sep 24, 2010 7:12 AM No I love Solano Avenue and do most of my shopping there, including clothing. I really am irritated by the panhandlers. They make an 306 Sep 24, 2010 7:26 AM otherwise lovely experience awful while I have to deal with their annoying panhandling methods and unfortunate personalities. driving on Solano is very, very unsave for both pedestrians and 307 Sep 24, 2010 9:09 AM cars I miss the clothing stores and being able to stop in to find birthday 308 Sep 24, 2010 9:19 AM presents/other items. We don't need more restaurants and cafes. Love Peet's seating; need more of that w/ trees ! I remember when 309 Sep 24, 2010 9:32 AM there were TWO ice cream shops very close to another on upper Solano ! I would be concerned about health effects of increased public 310 Sep 24, 2010 11:50 AM wireless in the area. 311 Sep 24, 2010 1:24 PM all in all, it is already pleasant. There are enough restaurants. 312 Sep 24, 2010 1:25 PM Ease the permit process, allow outdoor hot dog vendors Get rid of the regular panhandlers. Isn't there a law against this? If 313 Sep 24, 2010 1:44 PM not, could you please pass one? And enforce it? Their presence hurts everybody, including (most of all) them. My dream would be to have Solano closed to cars from the Alameda to Colusa and a walking mall created. I'd like a good 314 Sep 24, 2010 1:55 PM breakfast place, somewhere to get a drink in the evening, and intersting stores. The clothing shops seem too exclusive. I don't do my shopping there. I enjoy the restaurants, and doing more to encourage street 315 Sep 24, 2010 2:27 PM life would benefit the area. By that I mean traffic calming, like the bulb outs, outdoor seating areas for restaurants, street trees and plantings. It's serviceable when I need something there, but I don't seek it out 316 Sep 24, 2010 2:57 PM anymore and I used to--some of that is economic changes, but also Solano is just not particularly compelling. Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text REMOVEPARKING METTERS, DO NOT KILL GOING TO 317 Sep 24, 2010 3:20 PM UPPER SOLANO LIKE DOWNTOWN BERKELEY!!! DO LIKE ALBANY DOES. I think if you want more business on Upper Solano, the traffic situation should be addressed. The cross-over of Colusa Ave. is very problematic; traveling North-bound on Colusa the left turn is tricky and dangerous. Traveling South-bound on Colusa, the light and jog over Solano causes a lot of extra traffic. With more 318 Sep 24, 2010 3:25 PM pedestrians at that intersection, there's likely to be more injuries. Separate issue: nightlife is really lacking on Solano--the places open after 9pm are few and far between. Third suggestion: I know that chain stores are not encouraged on the street. I wonder if some types of stores, like clothing stores, draw a significant number of people who might then patronize the other stores in the area too. 319 Sep 24, 2010 3:26 PM parking should be free, i shop solano in albany because of this I'd love it to be more like the whole College Avenue--more restaurants, more small retail stores, more outside seating and 320 Sep 24, 2010 3:28 PM more plants. The neighborhood associations seem anti business here. Many local neighbors have NIMBY attitudes that make new businesses less like to want to set up shop here. 321 Sep 24, 2010 3:39 PM MOre quality restaurants! 322 Sep 24, 2010 3:42 PM It would be nice if Solano was a bit cleaner 323 Sep 24, 2010 3:43 PM More trees would benefit the ambiance and community. 324 Sep 24, 2010 3:49 PM Over vigilant meter maids are a deterant I would like to see more connections between the businesses and 325 Sep 24, 2010 3:54 PM the school, as so many school parents (and kids) frequent Solano Ave for business. Would love to see ice cream on upper Solano. Also, wouldn't mind wider sidewalks and more of the kinds of wide, pedestrian- 326 Sep 24, 2010 4:08 PM friendly, curb-cuts like the one at Solano and Colusa (next to Peet's) More useful stores, moderately priced olderwomen's clothes, 327 Sep 24, 2010 4:09 PM variety store, no more beauty shops 328 Sep 24, 2010 4:15 PM Keep the streets & sidewalks clean Like the rest of Berkeley, the sidewalks need to be cleaned more 329 Sep 24, 2010 4:16 PM often. Generall it's the nicest place in Berkeley to shop/eat/etc. 330 Sep 24, 2010 4:17 PM Aggressive panhandling is really a problem. 331 Sep 24, 2010 4:26 PM comedy club Too many trucks on Solano and Shattuck are allowed to double 332 Sep 24, 2010 4:27 PM park Part of the charm of Solano is the non-food independent stores, but 333 Sep 24, 2010 4:31 PM it seems very difficult to actually run a business like that on Solano (or any of the established business districts in Berkeley) due to the Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text sky-high real estate market and excessive permitting. I realize these are long-standing issues here and nationally, but rather than micromanaging the types of businesses that can come in (and favoring those with high margins), I would love to see some creativity around minimizing the lease costs for businesses, perhaps in exchange for agreements regarding the appearances of stores, the provision of community amenities (seating, wifi, bathrooms, art space, etc) and other benefits.

335 Sep 24, 2010 4:34 PM It's a great neighborhood. Needs an ice cream parlor. One reason Solano is nicer than other areas is that aggressive pan handling is less pronounced here. Let's keep it this way. I seldom 336 Sep 24, 2010 4:37 PM take my family to Telegraph because of aggressive panhandling, crime and the general sort of seedy/run down look of the Telegraph area. 337 Sep 24, 2010 4:40 PM Get rid of quotas 338 Sep 24, 2010 4:43 PM Thanks for doing this Laurie! Lisa Bullwinkel I spend more time on upper Solano now than I ever have (love all 339 Sep 24, 2010 4:58 PM the used clothing stores like Hannahs, Solano Kids and Urbanity) The intersection at Colusa and Solono is crazy. It is really hard to 340 Sep 24, 2010 5:08 PM turn left onto Solano from Colusa when coming from the South. Is there any way to make this intersection better? we need more coffee shops/restaurants that serve food & have outside seating, maybe a pub; there are too many rug shops and home furniture places (I mean, who's going to go to Solano Ave to 341 Sep 24, 2010 5:14 PM buy a couch?); take a look at the variety of shops and popularity/vibe of College Ave in Rockridge.....we could use some of that on Solano Ave Parking meters/stations are inconvenient, too expensive. Very discouraging to do business on Solano Ave with current parking 342 Sep 24, 2010 5:16 PM situation. Always fearful I'm not going to make it back to car in time to avoid $40 parking ticket. NOT GOOD. Upper Solano Ave feels neglected as a shopping/business district in Berkeley. Look how long it took to take the parking meter poles down. Years. (Thank you Capitelli for finally making that happen). There is a clutter of street and random signs. The area looks run down and forgotten. This state detracts from the charming, locally- owned businesses at a time when our uniqueness needs to be 343 Sep 24, 2010 5:19 PM emphasized to survive. Our buildings are vacant and the city and community makes business that would improve the charm and local feeling of our area (like the new ice scream store) jump through hoops to get approval. It hurts us and it hurts the city’s revenue. There is a lot of focus on revitalizing downtown but what about the other Berkeley neighborhood destinations? Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text 344 Sep 24, 2010 5:20 PM There should be more disabled parking spaces. I grew up very close to Upper Solano Avenue, and I still go there 345 Sep 24, 2010 5:22 PM for so many things even though I live in Richmond. sidewalk restaurants with beer & wine service like GROWN UP 346 Sep 24, 2010 5:28 PM CITIES throughout the world. Enough with Puritanism! And how about a pedestrian mall? Let's aim higher. In these difficult economic times, I think property owners should 347 Sep 24, 2010 5:36 PM lower their rents to retain and attract businesses. We have been through this before and we will get through this. 348 Sep 24, 2010 5:48 PM Some businesses will fail but new ones will come in. 349 Sep 24, 2010 5:49 PM Best new store is Urbanity-hip, consignment clothing Though we have excellent coffee at Pete's and Starbucks a coffehouse/cafe gathering place with adequate seating (a la 350 Sep 24, 2010 5:49 PM Ortman's or Fat Apples) is strongly lacking on upper Solano. I would spend loads of time alone and with my family at such an establishment! 351 Sep 24, 2010 5:50 PM It could use a little more life! Think Piedmont or College Aves... 352 Sep 24, 2010 5:54 PM it is not designed for residents but for tourists/visitors second hand clothing store next to peet's is bad idea; most of the new beauty salons and product stores go bankrupt, as do the 353 Sep 24, 2010 6:04 PM 'orientalist' gift shops. the latter are an embarrassment and a failure. we could use a fish store, more cafes where one might actually sit outside and have a salad for lunch. a simple request. Quality of establishments and the needs of the community need to be a focus i.e., we do not need another hair/beauty supply store! 354 Sep 24, 2010 6:23 PM vibrant, young shops, wine bars, cafes that are affordable and fun for young families! farmers market! 355 Sep 24, 2010 6:30 PM parking is horrendous! If improved, I would go there more often. We need places for teens to go. I really miss the ice cream parlors 356 Sep 24, 2010 6:36 PM of my childhood. It's my village, with all the amenities: coffee, post office, book 357 Sep 24, 2010 7:00 PM store, movies, my bank, grocery store, shoe repair, and a myriad of restaurants. It's why I moved here. 358 Sep 24, 2010 7:00 PM Not enough parking I love the outdoor sitting at Peet and I think we should have more 359 Sep 24, 2010 7:01 PM outdoor sitting along solona I wrote don't know about the quotas, because I'm ambivalent. I do want a variety of stores--not all restaurants--but I also don't want 360 Sep 24, 2010 7:04 PM that special ice cream parlor turned away, and I would love to see something different, like an Ethiopian restaurant, open up. potted plants look ridiculous and take up walking space as do 361 Sep 24, 2010 7:07 PM badly placed bike racks,garbage cans left out, and chairs when not well placed. People have to be able to get to businesses. Tree Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text plantings are great again if they don't use all the sidewalk space The traffic is frustrating due to a couple of things...people walking across all parts of the street, people crossing traffic to turn into parking places on the opposite side of the street, etc. It would be 362 Sep 24, 2010 7:07 PM great if all the crosswalks had those lights that flash when someone steps into the crosswalk. Visibility for drivers is very difficult. I also find the new parking meters pretty annoying. I value the quiet in the evenings and not having trucks idling their 363 Sep 24, 2010 7:11 PM engines. I do own property on Colusa I am 65 and walking is difficult. Parking is very difficult and 364 Sep 24, 2010 7:15 PM expensive - especially when you can park for free in Albany, Kensington and El Cerrito Safeway, on the Albany border, is old/ugly/out of sync with the ambience of Solano Avenue. It needs to be brought up to the street 365 Sep 24, 2010 7:16 PM with a new, friendly facade and seating to enhance the street vision. Way too many cosmetic, beauty , nail places. Prefer food 366 Sep 24, 2010 7:21 PM purveyors to those. Definiteley need greater variety and more representation from the 367 Sep 24, 2010 7:23 PM arts world. Trees in the middle of the street will make Solano Avenue nicer 368 Sep 24, 2010 7:26 PM and safer. What's happening with the Post Office? Great survey, by the way - 369 Sep 24, 2010 7:39 PM Ira Serkes STOOPID,STOOPID PARKING METERS ARE A PAIN IN THE BUTT-THAT'S WHY I EAT OUT IN ALBANY ON SOLANO 370 Sep 24, 2010 7:46 PM AND MOVED MY OFFICE TO ALBANY RENTS ARE TOO HIGH FOR THE ECONOMY, TOO 371 Sep 24, 2010 7:51 PM It is very congested on first block. 372 Sep 24, 2010 7:56 PM It seems 'dead' at night, in contrast to the Elmwood area. 373 Sep 24, 2010 8:13 PM Starting to look cheesy with discount places and tacky signage 374 Sep 24, 2010 8:17 PM Love it and want to see it thrive As a parent of a 5th grader at Thousand Oaks, I am concerned that he and his friends must cross Solano given its dangerous 375 Sep 24, 2010 8:55 PM conditions such as driver speed, distractiosn due to parking and no traffic control at Ensenada and Solano Would love to see an ice cream store, a pub, STill miss the party 376 Sep 24, 2010 9:00 PM supply store. 377 Sep 24, 2010 9:10 PM Please handle street people. It's really important to keep the Oaks Theatre functioning. Otherwise, Upper Solano is one of Berkeley's most successful 378 Sep 24, 2010 9:13 PM pedestrian/retail districts. It ain't broke -- current vacancies probably reflect the overall economy -- so don't "fix" it. What Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text would make me (personally) shop there more often?: A really unique food outlet (akin to the Cheese Board); a musical- instruments store. Would love to have an independent cafe with lots of seating--the 379 Sep 24, 2010 9:20 PM Coffee Roastery in San Francisco being a model example; Roma on Hopkins would be another (albeit not as high-quality) 380 Sep 24, 2010 9:20 PM Two Words: Irish. Pub. it would be great if there were a FEW clothing retailers - i am tired of not being able to shop for clothes in Berkeley for myself and for 381 Sep 24, 2010 9:21 PM my children. How about a Gap? Could we have a Whole Foods? How could we make Solano more like Fourth Street? I really do love Upper Solano and am delighted to live within 382 Sep 24, 2010 9:31 PM walking distance Retail store rents are too high and allow small businesses no margin in case of an economic downturn. What we really need on 383 Sep 24, 2010 9:32 PM Solano are larger businesses that provide for daily needs instead of boutiques. But Berkeley missed the boat on that a long time ago. Why limit the number of restaurants, but allow other businesses 384 Sep 24, 2010 9:38 PM (nail salons, hair stylists) to proliferate without end? The traffic at the intersection of Solano and the southern part of 385 Sep 24, 2010 9:43 PM Colusa is terrible. Drivers on Solano routine ignore the "do not block" warning in the intersection. 386 Sep 24, 2010 9:47 PM shops should stay open later! City of Berkeley shouldn't take so long to permit! Eg signs for new businesses take months-- I want to support the shops there, and do much of my shopping there-- have wondered at times why some 387 Sep 24, 2010 9:52 PM stores ( one of which just moved to San Mateo) don't have signs, and have been told they're held up with the City. Come on, Berkeley-- the more business we have, the more tax revenue. Why doesn't the City seem to get that? 388 Sep 24, 2010 10:14 PM Maintain free parking as in Albany! survey NEEDS of nearby residents to ID other retail types: e.g., 389 Sep 24, 2010 11:32 PM pharmacy, hardware hate the new parking "meters" that make you go back to your car 390 Sep 24, 2010 11:33 PM to insert your ticket. Sometimes I encounter inconsiderate drivers who either drive too 391 Sep 24, 2010 11:39 PM fast or do not stop for pedestrians. Reinforcement of driving laws could be enforced better. Restaurant garbage smells for example the containers at Ajanta 392 Sep 24, 2010 11:44 PM and Bankok Jam Make parking easier for those who would like to frequent the 393 Sep 25, 2010 12:04 AM different establishments. I frequent restaurants and busineses on lower solano as parking is easier than using the new meters. Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text My out-of-state relatives just got a $40 parking ticket on Upper 394 Sep 25, 2010 12:08 AM Solano. I think signage for the "new" metered parking is not clear. How about free parking like in Albany, just a few blocks away? I like it there. It would be nice to have another independent 395 Sep 25, 2010 12:30 AM bookstore, and a cafe with adequate seating. Love Peet's but they don't encourage sitting around. I would like to see more diversity of business and more outdoors 396 Sep 25, 2010 1:02 AM public space and less car traffic From what I have heard the owner's of buildings on Solano charge 397 Sep 25, 2010 1:53 AM exhorbitant rent. The older small businesses of Upper Solano Ave (KNA Copies, Payn's Stationary, Pegasus Books, etc) are the foundation of 398 Sep 25, 2010 2:15 AM Solano Ave's charm and make it a desirable shopping district. I would hate to see Solano Avenue lose touch with this "cozy" town feeling that has been sacrificed in many east bay neighborhoods 399 Sep 25, 2010 2:42 AM Transit sucks (ok it sucks everywhere now) 400 Sep 25, 2010 3:15 AM I miss having more shops, but still love the ones that are there Lets get some trees. Get rid of the new partking meters. Have them 401 Sep 25, 2010 4:04 AM for every space but payable by credit card. It is such a hassle now. 402 Sep 25, 2010 4:13 AM parking is difficult, meters are difficult a hardware store would be great. regular traffic enforcement would be great. actually, any traffic enforcement would be an 403 Sep 25, 2010 4:22 AM improvement forget the festivals, we're tired of solano stroll and the negative impact on the neighborhood. keep ahead of the taggers! how ab musicians on the street, like 404 Sep 25, 2010 4:37 AM during Solano Stroll? I want a hardware store, and something like an old time 5 and 405 Sep 25, 2010 4:54 AM dime, or like Cliff's Variety in the Castr 406 Sep 25, 2010 4:59 AM I hope we can keep the Oaks Theater! 407 Sep 25, 2010 5:13 AM Very pleasant now; more food would be OK 408 Sep 25, 2010 5:36 AM Add more plants ie shrubs & trees Many of the businesses provide services that people cut back on during uncertain financial times (expensive home furnishings, high-priced gifts, eating out, flowers, higher priced groceries etc.) 409 Sep 25, 2010 6:14 AM Upper Solano difficulties are not unique for independent businesses with high overhead costs even in affluent areas. Property owners may need to consider freezing or lowering rent levels in order to keep spaces occupied) 410 Sep 25, 2010 6:21 AM you didn't ask about going for other reasons such as to banks Upper Solano had too many upscale establishments.... I frequent 411 Sep 25, 2010 6:40 AM the more pedestrian stores & restaurants.... 412 Sep 25, 2010 8:59 AM Panhandling & asking for donations is a problem 413 Sep 25, 2010 2:23 PM Make it more of a shopping experience like 4th Street is. Seating Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text areas, pots with plants, etc. Parking on Solano can be a problem. I think I am asked for 414 Sep 25, 2010 2:58 PM charitable donations from the same charity too often. 415 Sep 25, 2010 3:29 PM more cafes, book/cafe combos, jazz clubs, etc. High rents seem to be hurting the small businesses that have made it so successful. The early business closing times are silly. The 416 Sep 25, 2010 4:46 PM world doesn't shut down at a 10-year-old's bedtime, and people who spend top dollar to move into a commercial district shouldn't be so bossy and selfish. 417 Sep 25, 2010 5:34 PM bring back the flower boxes 418 Sep 25, 2010 5:34 PM get rid of the parking meters! 419 Sep 25, 2010 5:56 PM parking... It would be great to fill store fronts, but it also matters what goes in there, ie. not chain stores/restaurants, but rather businesses that fit with the current ones. I'm not sad to see Beauty Source go--it 420 Sep 25, 2010 6:01 PM was a direct competition to the salon next door. Also, the panhandling is a real drag. One guy sometimes blocks the mailboxes, so it's like you can't mail a letter unless you interact with his aggressive demands. Faster response to graffiti removal, so happy about the new ice 421 Sep 25, 2010 6:13 PM cream store Let the restaurants stay open later, quit giving parking tickets all 422 Sep 25, 2010 6:20 PM the time. Noisy. But I don't suppose anything can be done about the traffic 423 Sep 25, 2010 6:26 PM and the bus routes. Changing bus routes would defeat the purpose of bringing in more people. 424 Sep 25, 2010 6:50 PM Need better shops and easier parking 426 Sep 25, 2010 7:19 PM hardware store would be nice. love the clothing stores! 427 Sep 25, 2010 7:38 PM more parking needed!!!! I do NOT like the "newer" traffic configuration---very confusing. 428 Sep 25, 2010 7:46 PM Watching for pedestrians, lanes narrow, etc. I'd love to see more restaurants, ice cream shops, and Eco-friendly 429 Sep 25, 2010 8:19 PM gifts. 430 Sep 25, 2010 8:35 PM colusa at solano heading north....only allowed to turn rt more dining Ok if not a chain. good quality food OK. No more beauty/ nail shops. Aesthetic signage. parking meters are a real 431 Sep 25, 2010 8:41 PM problem. Limits the amount of time I can spend shopping because too much trouble to deal with the meters. 432 Sep 25, 2010 9:04 PM remove all traffic barriers, ie, on Fresno 433 Sep 25, 2010 9:16 PM remove graffiti more swiftly Upper Solano is harder to navigate by car or on foot these days 434 Sep 25, 2010 9:23 PM because of the disastrously stupid modifications to Marin Ave a few years ago. Making Marin a four-lane thoroughfare from Bay Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text to Hills again (and moving the Bicycle Blvd to Washington Ave or a point south of Marin) would make Upper Solano safer to pedestrians and more attractive as a shopping/dining/anything destination that's parkable and navigable by car (instead of the completely unworkable replacement part-thoroughfare it has unsuccessfully turned into). 435 Sep 25, 2010 9:56 PM put restrictions on people petitioning for various causes 436 Sep 25, 2010 11:07 PM no 437 Sep 26, 2010 12:45 AM Do not have such strict parking restrictions 438 Sep 26, 2010 12:53 AM more busking: makes the street "come alive", more inviting Aesthetic requirements, to provide a cohesive sense of the street, 439 Sep 26, 2010 1:03 AM are a good idea it should be a bustling and busy commercial center. I am very 440 Sep 26, 2010 2:02 AM distressed by the high vacancy rate, and the restrictions on evening hours (eg restaurants and restaurant hours). The street is very busy and more crosswalks need flashing lights 441 Sep 26, 2010 2:17 AM for the safety of the heavy foot traffic 442 Sep 26, 2010 2:33 AM Solanostroll parade was disappointing, no art cars 443 Sep 26, 2010 2:57 AM I don't want big chain stores 444 Sep 26, 2010 3:49 AM I don't need most businesses there. 445 Sep 26, 2010 4:02 AM a pedestrian only area with outdoor seating would be great 446 Sep 26, 2010 5:57 AM We need a hardware store like Ace Past Time 447 Sep 26, 2010 6:16 AM no parking meters! 12 is a bad question, I am not a Property owner? where/ Solano 448 Sep 26, 2010 6:35 AM Ave or anywhere else in the world. Clarify. need more medium priced good quality restaurants; look at what santa fe has done in the last 5 years; install a local transport 449 Sep 26, 2010 7:07 AM system; it's hard to park and AC transit is wothless, and will be even worth less after it goes bankrupt and disappears would like more moderate price restaurants or take-out places, I miss the old hardware-variety store (long ago), really appreciate 450 Sep 26, 2010 8:14 AM Andronico's, jewelers, banks, taqueria, stationery store, and the post office. Why not have a pedestrian zone for the area above Colusa? I can't 451 Sep 26, 2010 3:54 PM see the need for cars there at all. Too many pedestrians cross headlessly in the middle of the block. 452 Sep 26, 2010 5:10 PM Some rude drivers. 453 Sep 26, 2010 5:16 PM get rid of meters. Albany parking much more attractive More green space/places for people to hang around outdoors e.g. 454 Sep 26, 2010 5:58 PM sidewalk seating for restaurants, awning covered areas, play areas for children.... 455 Sep 26, 2010 5:59 PM More "upper" quality stores 456 Sep 26, 2010 6:32 PM We should encourage more arts and outdoor seating. Ban any more Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text hair and nail salons. 457 Sep 26, 2010 7:47 PM Upper Solano is beginning to look like Shattuck....trashed Please: wider sidewalks, MANY more trees, more vegetation overall ("green streets"), "slow-street" narrowing for pedestrian 458 Sep 26, 2010 7:57 PM crossings; more seating; much more bicycle parking...make this area a place for PEOPLE, not for cars, and maybe you'll have more people going and lingering there. 459 Sep 26, 2010 9:01 PM turning left onto solano from colusa is scary; needs improvement sidewalks are becoming hazardous - cracks and uneven; parking patrol relentless and tickets even while you are trying to work the 460 Sep 26, 2010 9:55 PM machine! more restaurants like College Ave would be nice and draw more people to the area helping to fill empty storefronts; The city's role is to support a healthy business environment, not 461 Sep 26, 2010 10:18 PM discourage it. 462 Sep 26, 2010 11:11 PM LOVE the new bike racks--they're FANTASTIC! It could stand to be bit more lively with more sidewalk culture. There is no real reason to go there unless you have something 463 Sep 26, 2010 11:27 PM specific in mind. More entertainment and a better restaurant selection would make it more of a destination to walk through. Yes, I happen to know from others who have stores, etc. on Solano, that the rents are just outrageous. I know of a family who 464 Sep 26, 2010 11:41 PM lost a business, of others with the same experience. Is there a way to get the landlords to be more rational? The new bike racks on the first block of Solano are great! I would 465 Sep 27, 2010 12:41 AM really like to see some installed on the second block (below Colusa). Empty storefronts are not unique to Solano, not sure we can fix the economy and that may be what it takes to get empty stores filled. 466 Sep 27, 2010 12:51 AM We love the mix of shops - we shop and dine all along Solano from San Pablo to the Alameda- 467 Sep 27, 2010 2:23 AM too many hair and nail businesses 468 Sep 27, 2010 3:16 AM Would really like to see more interesting shopping options. Car traffic made worse by bump-out at Peet's and unnecessary turn lane in front of La Farine. The city is over-programming people's movements. Additionally, for businesses' sake, coin meters should be restored. Many merchants have complained to me about the difficult and costly parking situation. It now costs 35 cents extra to mail a letter at the P.O. because of the new meters--ridiculous! It 469 Sep 27, 2010 3:29 AM will do no good to diversify shops or add restaurants if people can't easily drive down the street or park. These recent moves (too much traffic instruction, ticket-bearing meters) have not eased the use of Solano, and certainly have discouraged doing business there, except for those who live within 2 or 3 blocks of the Street. Use common sense. Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text I am a government employee and believe in both government and support taxes. However, I'm inclined to believe that the problems Solano has are mostly market-condition related and don't think 470 Sep 27, 2010 4:04 AM local government should be spending much time and resources on this issue, as important as it is. There are other more pressing matters for local government to spend time and money on. You got it when you said more outdoor seating should be allowed , 471 Sep 27, 2010 4:05 AM areas with wider side walks and yes, MORE trees. 472 Sep 27, 2010 5:27 AM Suport the Oaks Theater 473 Sep 27, 2010 5:48 AM More shops should have English sort of signs like mane alley keep the upper solano post office open, it attracts business to the 474 Sep 27, 2010 2:53 PM area.. It is really important to maintain a variety of businesses including 475 Sep 27, 2010 3:39 PM the less glamorous ones that we use every day like shoe repair, grocery store, used clothing stores, etc. 476 Sep 27, 2010 3:59 PM Yes! We need a hardware store! And gelato place would be ideal. 477 Sep 27, 2010 4:44 PM No parking requirements for businesses There needs to be barriers on west-bound Solano, just east of The Alameda that would keel cars from going straight down(west) on Solano Avenue from the right-turn lane. When there is a vehicle 478 Sep 27, 2010 4:46 PM waiting to turn left, cars nearly always duck into the right-turn lane to go straight west through the intersection, endangering both pedestrian and auto traffic. Could vacancy have same factor as elsewhere in Berkeley (too 479 Sep 27, 2010 5:25 PM high rents, poor property management coordination of business types)? 480 Sep 27, 2010 6:43 PM Need record store; more musicians; outside dining 481 Sep 27, 2010 8:02 PM improve traffic safety, more clear signage panhandling is a problem, in my opinion, but otherwise I love 482 Sep 27, 2010 8:29 PM Solano & try to support the businesses there (Dentist, restaurant, eye doctor, etc..) 483 Sep 27, 2010 9:00 PM end quotas When By Hand had to move out of its corner shop, the property owner would not post a sign stating that they had moved across the 484 Sep 27, 2010 9:12 PM street. Those corner shops have been empty ever since. I don't know the details but I now view the landlord in a negative light. 485 Sep 27, 2010 9:40 PM Hope you can keep the Post Office and Oaks I think we should encourage avariety and make the street very 486 Sep 27, 2010 10:44 PM walker-friendly. 487 Sep 27, 2010 10:46 PM no 488 Sep 27, 2010 10:52 PM Hard to building and/or use permits 489 Sep 27, 2010 11:03 PM I grew up there in the 1960's, my mother still resides there. 490 Sep 28, 2010 12:01 AM lower solano is more appealing, don't know why. Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text 491 Sep 28, 2010 1:20 AM I love the variety of shops, banks, etc. So glad you are doing this! Solano needs beautification along with cafe's and bars. If is a shame that when we get babysitters, my 492 Sep 28, 2010 1:21 AM friends and I usually head to Rockridge, or other parts of Berkeley. Please, no more rug stores!! Thanks again! 493 Sep 28, 2010 2:58 AM Traffic and parking are problems... I hate the new parking meters meter maids drive off business, I use a mall rather than fight with 494 Sep 28, 2010 3:11 AM them. 2 minutes cost $63 when I am spending $200 in a shop 495 Sep 28, 2010 3:56 AM No more rug stores! No more Chinese Food! I live close by and it's Solano that makes it feel like a neighborhood. When I tell people where I live, it's "North 496 Sep 28, 2010 4:05 AM Berkeley, at the top of Solano." I'd love to see a b'fast/lunch place, maybe where the beauty center is going out of business? Surely we can do better than just Noah's? The restaurant quota is outdated. People go to Solano to hang out, 497 Sep 28, 2010 4:51 AM eat and socialize with friends. Upper Solano has such potential. I want a place that you could have dessert late in the evening or a glass of wine. I want a place 498 Sep 28, 2010 4:53 AM where I could pause from doing errands to sit, have something to drink and check my lists. 499 Sep 28, 2010 5:16 AM Closing time restrictions should be eliminated. 500 Sep 28, 2010 12:28 PM It's a great asset and we should work to make it thrive 501 Sep 28, 2010 2:42 PM Lower Solano rules! We have the better theater. ;-D we need dining options, pleased to see an ice cream shop, a chocolate shop would be great. We have lived in Geneva IL. and their is such a warm neighborhood expereince with dinig, boutiques, book stores, wine shops, the vets office, along iwth the bank and dry cleaners, coffee shops and bakery. We ened more that invites the locals. We buy flowers, our breads, our groceries, do our banking (slected the banks becasue they are on upper Solano) however I need to drive a car to buy wine and I go to Kensington, so while there I shop at the small market and buy my cards etc. We enjoy Zacarys, Peets, La Farines, Andronics, the 502 Sep 28, 2010 5:29 PM dining at the variety of places, but we have no Italian restaurants, and other ethnic foods. We need to attract people to come to our areas. Our parking gets compromised, but so what? it is after all a city neighborhood. We need the pan handlers to be removed, we need the survey folks to stop and we need to function like a full service neighborhood. My office is near 4th Street and frankly they are doing a much better job at attracting and retaining business than here on Solano. Given a choice I come to Solano for my pet care needs, flowers, dining etc. and yet 4th street offers much more in a more limited space except gas and banking and drug store. We can only dream to have Sur La Table, The building bookstore, Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text Crate and Barrel outlet, Papyrus, the pasta shop, Rouge, ZUTS, and soon and Apple Store! It's a great place -- we unfortunately had to move out of the area 3 503 Sep 28, 2010 7:20 PM years ago, but visit whenever we can! The city of Berkely should encourge this lovely community through its permitting and other regulations. An enjoyable, 504 Sep 28, 2010 9:08 PM walkable community is sustainable and healthy and teh city should not discourage it through discourgin rules and predatory parking rules. 505 Sep 28, 2010 10:00 PM I love it here. 506 Sep 28, 2010 10:05 PM District restrictions need to be reviewed. 507 Sep 28, 2010 10:10 PM The quotas should be removed if diverse eateries are encouraged. 508 Sep 28, 2010 10:13 PM Are there any tradeoffs to removing the quotas? 509 Sep 28, 2010 10:17 PM I suggest publishing a directory/map Retailer variety strikes me as excellent. On quotas-if businesses can support themselves in these hard times, it's a good thing to loosen the quota-vacancies are bad for everyone-BUT my heart sinks everytime another food or fancy clothes or trinkets place 510 Sep 28, 2010 10:28 PM opens. On look and feel-I really only care about keeping Solano workable for the old businesses that perform services well and reasonably: the bookstores, Oaks Jewelers, Ajanta, Oaks Theater, Sue Johnston, Supercuts, Ensler Lighting, Payne's. On trees-it's no fun on a hot or sunny afternoon for this shade lover. 511 Sep 28, 2010 10:30 PM I love living near it. not enough public restrooms! Some places, like Peets, don't even 512 Sep 29, 2010 12:11 AM have a bathroom. I don't think there are particularly agressive panhandlers on Solano (at this time) but this was the case in the recent past. I would also 513 Sep 29, 2010 12:48 AM like to see more young (1-12 yrs) places to go and things to do, but not sure what. A really nice, old fashioned (but in step with the times) ice cream parlor- type place. No more rug shops! GET RID OF THE PANHANDLING MAKE IT ILLEGAL & NO 514 Sep 29, 2010 2:02 AM GOODWILL STORE, ALTHOUGH IT MIGHT BE "HIGH END" THE PANHANDLERS ARE BAD ENOUGH 515 Sep 29, 2010 2:13 AM It's a great area which could be further enriched 516 Sep 29, 2010 2:25 AM None 517 Sep 29, 2010 2:44 AM I want a hardware store that I can walk to. bring in another barn like dance studio in where front row video is 518 Sep 29, 2010 4:13 AM now. video is dying. find a place for the beggers. Very disturbing. More lush landscape 519 Sep 29, 2010 4:17 AM would be nice too. 520 Sep 29, 2010 5:16 AM Please...no more hair salons! All of solano, not just upper. 521 Sep 29, 2010 6:13 AM Keep Post Office - I go there daily Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text 522 Sep 29, 2010 6:29 AM almost as good as lower Solano :) Crosswalks are dangerous, sloppily parked delivery trucks OFTEN 523 Sep 29, 2010 5:06 PM block pedestrian views of oncoming traffic, and driving-scofflaws are rampant - with little police presencel, ever. Encourage new businesses by having Berkeley give them a tax 524 Sep 29, 2010 5:21 PM break for the first year to get them started. 525 Sep 29, 2010 5:53 PM Improve the intersection at Colusa -- for both cars & pedestrians. Extremely difficult to get to without a car, which limits my 526 Sep 29, 2010 6:03 PM visitation I go there daily because of the school we are eager for I-Scream to 527 Sep 29, 2010 7:25 PM open! Parking can be a problem and should be addressed if you want to 528 Sep 29, 2010 9:01 PM attract more shoppers. 529 Sep 29, 2010 10:42 PM no more coffee shops or nail salons 530 Sep 29, 2010 11:49 PM Great Street to visit and walk 531 Sep 29, 2010 11:53 PM Keep the movie theatre alive! In refrence to question 8. I am not in favor for chains -- but local 532 Sep 29, 2010 11:59 PM establishments. You need to work with the merchents more and advertise more. 533 Sep 30, 2010 12:06 AM Get more trendy shops & classy 534 Sep 30, 2010 4:24 AM Illegal cell antennas at 1760 solano is Destroying solano ave! Distinguish from GGhetto:more family friendly places; ice- 535 Sep 30, 2010 3:22 PM cream/yogurt; donuts? Please put in a light at Colusa and Solano that is timed with the 536 Sep 30, 2010 7:41 PM one that is already there. I use pedestrians crossing to block the traffic so that I can cross Solano from Colusa going North. 537 Sep 30, 2010 11:01 PM NEEDS MORE PARKING!! As everyone knows, there are too many empty store fronts on Solano Ave., perhaps a result of the economy. However, over the past 30 years it seems neighborhood associations have gained too much power over which businesses will have access to Solano Ave. and how they'll conduct their business. For example, it is my 538 Oct 1, 2010 12:14 AM opinion that La Farine experienced way too many problems in the beginning just getting indoor seating. Let residents determine which businesses will last on Solano by voting with their pocketbooks, rather than neighborhood associations deciding what is good for the community. It wouldd be great to widen the sidewalks and upgrade the light 539 Oct 1, 2010 3:06 AM fixtures and street furniture like lower Solano. 540 Oct 1, 2010 3:30 AM Trees, trees, trees 541 Oct 1, 2010 3:37 AM Need to stay open later 542 Oct 1, 2010 4:23 AM Good ice cream needed. 543 Oct 1, 2010 4:24 AM Close it off to traffic. Colousa/Solano crossing a problem causing Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text more traafic on other streets. 544 Oct 1, 2010 4:35 AM car/pedestrian combo is an issue/unsafe 545 Oct 1, 2010 4:37 AM Too many vacant shops. Second and third story residential above retail would be a welcome 546 Oct 1, 2010 4:42 AM redevelopment. 547 Oct 1, 2010 4:45 AM More sidewalk seating would be key! 548 Oct 1, 2010 4:52 AM MORE TREES Need traffic light at Colusa and way more public parking. People 549 Oct 1, 2010 6:07 AM avoid upper Solano because parking is a nightmare. We need to limit parking on all Solano side streets to 2 hours. 550 Oct 1, 2010 4:50 PM Glad I live nearby! Upper Solano is only part of the street - more coordination with 551 Oct 1, 2010 4:54 PM Albany The new left arrow and then merge paint markings on the street at 552 Oct 1, 2010 5:19 PM Colusa are screwy I really do feel like trafic is unsafe. I would like to see more police 553 Oct 1, 2010 6:30 PM giving tickets to unsafe drivers 1) Panhandlers make me avoid certain establishments I'd go to otherwise. 2) I wish coffee shops were open later. Everything is closed up by 8pm. Have to go to Berkeley for late night coffee shop. 3) Looking for parking in the top block of Solano -- if you 554 Oct 1, 2010 7:49 PM have to go around the block, Catalina is way too narrow / too many cars on Catalina. 4) Panhandler in front of Noah's bagels, while not aggressive, make it awkward to pay the meter in front of which he sets up every day. crosswalk at the alameda and solano, going east to west on north side is dangerous, even when there is a walk sign. Hedge too high, 555 Oct 1, 2010 9:47 PM visibility for cars bad, really dangerous. N. Berkeley needs more lounges/bars (for adults) to hang out at night. 556 Oct 1, 2010 10:27 PM Need better lighting so people feel safe shopping in the evening. Encourage evening activities to make the neighborhood safer and 557 Oct 1, 2010 10:34 PM more inviting 558 Oct 2, 2010 12:15 AM I would like to see planter boxes maintained. I love living around here because of Solano Ave - the variety of 559 Oct 2, 2010 6:09 AM *local* retailers instead of chains is a big draw. I heard that the landlords can pass the property taxes onto the tenants as a lump payment. Is this true? Seems like property taxes should be the responsibility of the property owner and/or including 560 Oct 2, 2010 3:33 PM in monthly rent. It would be nice if the banks all had signs that said "After 6 pm you are welccome to park in our parking lot while visiting one of our Solano Avenue establishments." I miss the old drug store, hardware store, variety store, ice cream 561 Oct 2, 2010 4:59 PM store Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text I did not suggest more eating establishments because it is hard 562 Oct 2, 2010 5:38 PM enough for the current ones to survive. I do not know any of the proprieters...I just think it's a bad idea. 563 Oct 2, 2010 6:43 PM A pleasant shopping area. less hair places, just because it's "salon"-o is not a good enough 564 Oct 2, 2010 7:30 PM reason to have so many hair establishments I loved the sidewalk seating during the Solano Stroll this year, and 565 Oct 2, 2010 8:03 PM would like to see it year -round. I'd love to see a retail (not used or discount) children's shoe and 566 Oct 2, 2010 8:19 PM clothing store on upper Solano. Also, I love that there are very few chain stores (Subway). 567 Oct 2, 2010 8:37 PM more shade, less empyy stores Let people open stores and restaurants. The City needs to focus on 568 Oct 2, 2010 9:25 PM controlling the panhandlers, not the shop owners. Enough of being yelled at by crazies! 569 Oct 2, 2010 10:25 PM more shopping 570 Oct 2, 2010 10:45 PM too many hair salons and nail places 571 Oct 2, 2010 11:47 PM Parking is so hard and expensive that it becomes a deterrant 572 Oct 3, 2010 3:17 AM I appreciate that thought and consideration is being put into it. 573 Oct 3, 2010 2:40 PM no 574 Oct 3, 2010 2:45 PM Panhandling at Peets and Starbucks = major problem 575 Oct 3, 2010 6:05 PM Restrain Berkeley parking harrassment "officers"!!! It's very pisturesque already; we need to count on this when we 576 Oct 3, 2010 10:47 PM think of improving the street. 577 Oct 4, 2010 1:02 AM We could use a hardware store again! more shop diversity (i.e. places to buy gifts --like Lava 9, places 578 Oct 4, 2010 4:02 PM that attract you to window shop, happy about ice cream place! 579 Oct 4, 2010 5:19 PM How about signal at Solano and Colusa? 580 Oct 5, 2010 7:19 PM no I have 2 stores on the upper part of Solano and we have been in business 22 years IN SPITE OF the City of Berkeley. It feels like we are the forgotten community within Berkeley. It's not a pro- business community. The neighbors don't really spend money like 581 Oct 5, 2010 8:54 PM they used to, but our landlord is still raising the rent! If we go away, this part of the Solano shopping district will lose. But how long can we continue to have our rents go up and our sales go down? Please don't add any more lighting! We have no stars in Berkeley 582 Oct 5, 2010 9:45 PM as it is! We need more variety in merchandising shops. For example, By 583 Oct 5, 2010 10:19 PM Hand has the only men's clothing on the entire street. 584 Oct 5, 2010 10:56 PM no 585 Oct 5, 2010 11:27 PM Install signal lights at Solano & Colusa (south)!!!!! Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text 586 Oct 6, 2010 6:15 AM no 587 Oct 6, 2010 2:24 PM Not only brighter, but lower street lights I'd support most measures of improvement that help keep the street interesting, mellow, shoppable and pleasant. More nighttime 588 Oct 6, 2010 7:01 PM business would be perhaps helpful. Definiitely more outdoor seating. Would like to see upper Solano Ave more family and kid friendly. 589 Oct 6, 2010 11:27 PM Cafe, places to go after school and get a treat, the only place with indoor seating is Starbucks! I believe that there is a great need for handicapped parking. As a 590 Oct 7, 2010 7:37 AM disabled resident, I find it difficult to frequent Solano Ave.; there are only a few handicapped parking spots. 591 Oct 7, 2010 6:40 PM Fill the empty storefronts with restaurants! keep one of our last mom'n pop streets going - I try to shop there 592 Oct 7, 2010 7:16 PM as much as possible, and love the street 593 Oct 7, 2010 8:19 PM A goal should be to attract high quality and progressive businesses WE NEED A CITY PARKING GARAGE TO ENCOURAGE 594 Oct 8, 2010 12:09 AM LONGER STAYS AND IMPROVE BUSINESS! 595 Oct 8, 2010 12:13 AM Parking and meters are problems. 596 Oct 8, 2010 12:13 AM The rents seem to high This survey doesn't address anything in a deep and meaningful way. More sidewalk seating? Not if dog owners let the leashs of 597 Oct 8, 2010 12:15 AM their dogs trip people when they are ties to a chair. I've seen 2 older residents almost fall because of this. Many drivers go too fast and/or don't stop for pedistrians entering or already in the crosswalks. Certain panhandlers have become 598 Oct 8, 2010 12:41 AM permanant fixtures - it's time they move on, providing they're not simple replaced by other panhandlers. 599 Oct 8, 2010 12:52 AM need less beauty shops and have a breakfast cafe Foolish planning to put 'nose' by Peets just at left turn on Colusa; 600 Oct 8, 2010 12:56 AM no space for cars continuing west to get by left-turners waiting for chance to turn. Need another hang-out cafe. I mostly use the banks, bakery, p.o., 601 Oct 8, 2010 1:19 AM coffee, which didn't fit any of your categories. 602 Oct 8, 2010 1:22 AM Need more ice cream options. Haven't tried the new shop yet. I would like: ice cream or gelato store; hardware store somewhere 603 Oct 8, 2010 1:25 AM on Solano Could use more coffee places like Starbucks with indoor seating 604 Oct 8, 2010 2:38 AM and WiFi 605 Oct 8, 2010 3:09 AM Let Good Will move in. We need a store like that. No more nail salons, please. More practical shops needed - I 606 Oct 8, 2010 3:29 AM remember the hardware store? I loved Say Cheese. Keep the shoe repair. Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text As it has done since 1979 (when we purchased our house on the 607 Oct 8, 2010 3:31 AM 500 block of Neilson St., the Avenue waxes and wanes with the economy. It will improve as the economy improves. 608 Oct 8, 2010 4:54 AM why not a hardware store ? 609 Oct 8, 2010 5:30 AM No 610 Oct 8, 2010 6:20 AM More variety of restaurants, fewer nail and hair salons! Increasing business activities means increasing traffic which is already quite bad and dangerous. People have been hit with cars 611 Oct 8, 2010 1:03 PM crossing the street, I have seen fender benders. Any development needs to seriously address the parking issue. Driving, parking and parking enforcement is a nightmare on upper 612 Oct 8, 2010 1:47 PM Solano and discourages us from frequenting businesses there. 613 Oct 8, 2010 2:19 PM Bring back a hardware store! (It would never make it, I'm sure) 614 Oct 8, 2010 2:59 PM It would be nice to have more outdoor seating around La Farine. We need more variety of shops, not more coffee shops. People do love new restaurants. limited parking makes it difficult to shop. I 615 Oct 8, 2010 3:51 PM like that lower Solano has . Sidewalk seating would be nice but only if it doesn't take away street parking.free parking Customers of Solano's take out food restaurants leave trash on my street, Catalina Ave. They come to eat their food on my street 616 Oct 8, 2010 4:02 PM because there is no other place to sit. Benches would help. More trashcans would help. Truck traffic supporting upper Solano should be confined to 617 Oct 8, 2010 4:06 PM Solano. It should not be allowed on Fresno nor on Catalina/Station Place. hate, hate, hate the parking meters. I actively patronize Albany 618 Oct 8, 2010 4:36 PM businesses instead. Only Upper Solano business that have parking lots (ie, Andronicos). 619 Oct 8, 2010 4:58 PM One of the best parts of living in North Berkeley! Diversity of shops is important, but vacant storefronts is more 620 Oct 8, 2010 5:09 PM important. Would be nice on evenings to have a place to go for coffee and dessert or live music and drinks. Seems that Upper Solano becomes a ghost town after 8pm other than Zachary's. A marketing 621 Oct 8, 2010 7:03 PM campaign of some sort to make it a destination like 4th Street for holiday shopping. Need some sort of anchor stores to want people to come to Solano. Right now, nothing like that. 622 Oct 8, 2010 7:33 PM I would like the sidewalks to be steam cleaned on a regular basis. I would like to see all of Solano prosper with businesses. The 623 Oct 8, 2010 8:03 PM empty store fronts are creating a less than desirable atmosphere. The area is ripe for night life and there isn't any. 624 Oct 9, 2010 12:58 AM need more shops for locals--and less salons! 625 Oct 9, 2010 3:47 AM no Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text I support the thrift store in the old World Dance space. I miss the 626 Oct 9, 2010 5:11 PM Salvation Army store that used to be where CVC is now. no fast food. I would like hardware store. no nighttime 627 Oct 9, 2010 8:11 PM entertainment Drivers frequently fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks - we need a way to STOP the cars so pedestrians can safely cross (stop 628 Oct 9, 2010 10:49 PM signs or stop lights) The current signs are not effective - I cross Solano multiple times daily - this is a big problem. I have reported this to the City Traff Bureau. Thing that makes me most unhappy: all the grafitti. Would be 629 Oct 10, 2010 12:17 AM happy to volunteer 1x/mo to remove it. If 30-60 others also volunteered for particular blocks, we could remove daily! 630 Oct 10, 2010 1:18 AM Would love to have establishments that are open past 10 pm. Get rid of meters on the street and that should improve business. 631 Oct 10, 2010 3:03 AM Go to a system similar to Albany. Let market forces decide what kind of stores/restaurants people 632 Oct 10, 2010 6:13 AM want on Solano. 633 Oct 10, 2010 4:50 PM I prefer Albany's Solano Ave because parking is easier. 634 Oct 10, 2010 6:08 PM it's about time there's some ice cream here! If there were more professional services offered, i would be a more frequent visitor. Back in the days of the local ice cream parlors, 635 Oct 10, 2010 7:06 PM many many people and families would come out of the Oaks Theatre and go for ice cream or window shopping -- something to think about. We LOVED that time of the evening. 636 Oct 10, 2010 7:34 PM It has changed vastly since my childhood. The City should allow more restaurants. A few more restaurants are a heck of a lot better than a bunch of empty storefronts. The 637 Oct 10, 2010 11:15 PM City should also consider ways to provide storefront renovation and renewal grants or loans. 638 Oct 11, 2010 12:05 AM no I am glad to hear there is an ice cream store coming -- I've been asking for one for years. No more nail salons, hair salons and Indian restaurants. Why wasn't the 100th anniversary Thousand Oaks celebration better organized ? It could have been held on 639 Oct 11, 2010 1:32 AM Solano with a variety of activities. There was no publicity of it. Too bad. Is the post office staying? What about a dance/yoga studio? What's wrong with that landlord (the dance space that has been vacant for a couple of years)? 640 Oct 11, 2010 6:47 PM The street pavement is in bad shape 641 Oct 12, 2010 1:14 AM If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Q8 on more restaurants - i would agree if the definition were 642 Oct 12, 2010 2:22 AM changed so that it was not a lifetime guarantee for a restaurant at that location. Make the permit last only as long as the specific Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text restaurant is there at that location. strong concern about the cellular towers on top of 1760 Solano 643 Oct 12, 2010 3:44 AM ave. What is going on with that. Why can't I get information about it from the City? 644 Oct 12, 2010 4:16 AM Great Neighborhood 645 Oct 12, 2010 12:47 PM expensive parking! 646 Oct 12, 2010 4:23 PM I spend more time on lower Solano, in part because parking is free. 647 Oct 13, 2010 12:27 AM get rid of paper boxes, they are used for trash. More trash bins Inexpensive/good value eateries should be emphasized. There are 648 Oct 13, 2010 1:43 AM plenty of high-end restaurants and specialty food shops already. we need trash cans; flower pots; businesses to keep up there own sidewalks; stop the kids who work on solano from smoking..now they do it in front of andronicos; I usually feel that we need our own small chamber; we are isolated from the rest of Berkeley. 649 Oct 13, 2010 4:52 AM Until this survey, after 7 years on the avenue, I have not seen any evidence of organization or representation except what SAA does. We need more input from you and the city, Laurie. Thanks for this start. The BID??? It would be great to have a great number of stores selling 650 Oct 13, 2010 6:19 AM household necessities, though I know this is economically unlikely! more parking equals more patronage ... I avoid the place because 651 Oct 13, 2010 4:20 PM of this 652 Oct 14, 2010 5:28 PM area just below Upper Solano needs extensive attention Don't be so exclusive of Albany. Solano runs beyond San Pablo 653 Oct 14, 2010 6:43 PM Ave. 654 Oct 14, 2010 8:43 PM get rid of panhandlers Think some entertainment venues might help revitalize the area - also think limiting restaurants, bars, is not a good idea particularly with so many empty store fronts. Love the idea of more public art 655 Oct 15, 2010 6:24 PM and community events targeted at younger or broader demographic. Can something be done about the ridiculously high commercial rents? Special deals for first 6 months, etc? 656 Oct 15, 2010 9:53 PM No more cell phone towers,please! Too little parking. Dangerous (people have been killed) 657 Oct 15, 2010 10:59 PM crosswalks. Not enough police patrolling illegal u turns across Solano into parking spaces; too many street people. 658 Oct 15, 2010 11:08 PM No If they survey concerns a BID tax, I bring people to Solano with 659 Oct 16, 2010 12:31 AM my service and don't wish to pay so others can entice patrons to their business. 660 Oct 16, 2010 1:38 AM crime, parking 661 Oct 16, 2010 9:30 PM Thge parking is too expensive. inhibits shopping on the street and Do you have any other comments about Upper Solano Avenue? # Response Date Response Text the fines are a revenu source for the city and state we love Solano Ave. but would like more variety and less restrictions on eating establishments. We are happy to finally see 662 Oct 17, 2010 4:10 PM an ice cream store opening there. it should be made easier for businesses to open there. 663 Oct 19, 2010 3:09 PM No Nail Salons PLEASE!!! The is enough nail salons on Solano 664 Oct 21, 2010 4:55 AM I LOVE PEET'S Last time we did this I recognized no changes in the area. I dont 665 Oct 21, 2010 7:03 PM think this survey is much helpful. I dont wish to reinstate the BID tax. I think its a waste. Last time 666 Oct 21, 2010 7:20 PM we did the BID tax, nothing changed. 667 Oct 22, 2010 4:46 PM glad to see the City of Berkeley paying attention to Solano Ave. 668 Oct 23, 2010 12:05 AM I really hope we do not lose the Post Office. Parking is a problem. As a long-time Solano Avenue business owner, I would NOT be in favor of reestablishing the BID. It did not have a positive impact 669 Oct 27, 2010 11:14 PM the last time it was implemented and I did not favor it at that time nor do I now. we need to attract a wider varied of retailers - vacancies are a 670 Nov 3, 2010 5:32 AM blight and depressing. it could be so much better like Piedmont or college