Only Berkeley, California (my home town) would host a major downtown development called The Gaia Building. Constructed by a local developer, with exemptions from some of the more onerous restrictions imposed by the municipal no—growthers, the building was to be the home of Gaia Bookstore, a specialty retailer of books about womens' spirituality and related topics.

Regrettably, before the building was completed, the namesake tennant went out of business. And the promised community center to be housed in the building never materialized. But no matter. The building still opened and attracted residential and commercial tennants, perhaps drawn by the unusual name of the structure.

But now comes news that the building leaks, and has developed a severe mold problem. I hate it when that happens. So, too, does the developer, who is suing the construction firm which built it.

Meanwhile, right next door to the Gaia Building is a parking lot about to be "donated" by the City of Berkeley to a private group which promises to build an office building for "environmental groups." The lovely gift is reckoned to be worth 6 million of the taxpayers' dollars. This in a year when the City has a multi—million dollar deficit, and is cutting programs.

One would think that the city's leadership would wise up. But, hey, this is Berkeley, home of the sucker lefties.

Posted by Thomas  07 20 04