Clif Bar to Move Headquarters to Alameda

Berkeley business took a hit on Wednesday when Clif Bar announced it would relocate its headquarters to Alameda after 14 years in Berkeley.

Clif Bar, a manufacturer of organic energy bars and other energy food products, has been looking for new headquarters since last year.

"Last year we sent a request for proposals to local developers to find a new headquarters site for us," said Vice President of Human Resources David Jericoff. "We got 14 responses and we narrowed it down to the four top contenders: Berkeley, Alameda, Emeryville and San Francisco."

Jericoff said the decision to move to Alameda was due primarily to space constraints.

"Berkeley just didn't have a building the size ... that we wanted," he said. "If Berkeley had a building like the one in Alameda, we would have stayed. Berkeley has been a happy home for us and it's sad we just had to outgrow it."

This is not the first time lack of space has forced developing businesses to leave Berkeley. Other companies that have also decided to expand outside of Berkeley include Ask Jeeves, Sybase, Chiron and Berkeley Information and Technology.

"This is a huge issue," said Cisco DeVries, chief of staff to Mayor Tom Bates. "Berkeley is a small city and land is expensive. There is a long history of businesses who start here and then at some point become successful and have to leave."

But DeVries also said any development legislation to enable expansion must consider Berkeley's historical and cultural background.

"Issues we need to address to make sure companies like Clif Bar can thrive here are on the agenda for the Planning Commission," he said. "However, Berkeley is a unique town and as we develop, we want to make sure we retain all the aspects that keep Berkeley unique."

Jericoff said the decision to leave Berkeley was not influenced by a lack of cooperation from city officials.

"Berkeley was very accommodating and responsive to what we needed. The mayor's office has been very vocal in keeping Clif Bar and offering help to us," he said. "We're just like a family that's outgrown its house."

The move will take place July 2008 when the 10-year lease on Clif Bar's headquarters expires.

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