Claremont Expansion Discussed at CENA Meeting

The Claremont-Elmwood Neighborhood Association (CENA) invited Ted Axe to its May 24, 2000 general membership meeting to discuss the proposed expansion. Daniel Lieberman, a developer and neighbor, and Elizabeth Kibbey, also a neighbor, shared the stage. An unidentified neighbor, not connected with this website or Elizabeth Kibbey and Prof. Michael Smith's e list, printed and distributed copies of this webpage, along with a map of the expansion project. Axe said they both seemed fairly accurate. He pointed out 3 or 4 things he considered inaccurate, and we have updated accordingly (see Corrections, below). Axe said he was considering 75 condominiums rather than timeshares, [Ed. note: We stand by our original report.] which raises different issues.

In response to persistent questioning,Axe said the EIR would not be started or finished before Labor Day. He also said the new wing would cost about 15 million dollars, and the rest of the proposed construction 15-20 million dollars. Axe continued to emphasize that the plans are very preliminary and have not been approved by KSL yet. If his plans are approved by KSL, Axe said he would hold a series of community meetings.

The CENA meeting had about 200 participants, including Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean. When Kibbey asked how many had been to the Claremont in the past 6 months, nearly everyone raised their hands. This was to prove to Axe that the Claremont is a vital part of our community, and that its neighbors are its core users. Other issues raised icncluded continuing problems with traffic and congestion due to the new traffic light, night construction at the Claremont [Axe said it would stop], and environmental concerns.

Due to time constraints, a small group of concerned neighbors joined the aforementioned speakers in a smaller conference room, allowing the general meeting to move on with its agenda. In just 2 weeks, an e list of people concerned about the Claremont expansion has grown to more than 200 people. Axe promised to meet with this group on a regular basis. The e list has since become Berkeley Oakland Neighbors of the Claremont(BONC), a neighborhood group with regular meetings and its own website. We wil continue to update this website as an independent source of information.