Restaurant owners voiced concerns that if the quota were relaxed, other restaurants would enter an already competitive environment, which would hurt their businesses. Multiple restaurant owners, including those of Gypsy’s Trattoria Italiana and Pappy’s Grill and Sports Bar, spoke at the meeting in opposition to removing the system.

“I strongly disagree with the proposal,” said Jahanshah Jowharchi, owner of Gypsy’s. “Our restaurant has suffered tremendously in the last two years … Many of us are going out of business due to overpopulation of restaurants.”

Currently, the city has quotas limiting the number of businesses, such as restaurants, barber shops and gift shops, that operate in the Telegraph commercial area. The proposal, if approved, would relax the restaurant quota system for the next three years.

Alex Popov, manager of Pappy’s, initiated a petition against removing the quota system. He also created the Telegraph Restaurant Association last week to voice the sentiments of local restaurant owners.

Thai Basil, CREAM and La Burrita are among 34 local restaurants that have signed the petition in favor of keeping the quotas.

“When I explained to (business owners) the issue, especially to those who are mom and pops, they said, ‘How are we going to survive if this passes?’” Popov said. “(Even) talking to nonfood businesses — they are concerned.”

Yet other business owners, such as Craig Becker of Caffe Mediterraneum — who is also president of the Telegraph Business Improvement District — think the quotas have done more harm than good.

“I think the government has a big role in making any commercial district successful, but I just don’t think that the quotas are the right way to go about it,” Becker said.

Due to time constraints, the council did not debate the restaurant quota matter and decided not to approve it at this time.

“If they would have taken a vote last night, we would have prevailed,” Popov said. “The fact that we didn’t get everything done in one meeting is not that big of a deal, but as long as we’re continuing to have Telegraph in the spotlight … It might take a long time, but as long as we’re looking at ways to improve the business district.”

The City Council voted, in one motion, to adopt of a number of the other items pertaining to Telegraph, such as looking into the financial impact of converting Bancroft Way and Durant Avenue into two-way streets and of creating parklets.

Gladys Rosario covers academics and administration. Contact her at grosario@dailycal.org and follow her on Twitter @gladysrosario93.

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If the plan is approved, the city manager will draw up a list of costs for traffic analysis, traffic control methods and construction for the conversion of the two streets.

Benefits of the conversion would include a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists, less traffic due to reduced vehicle speeds and more convenient access to the campus due to the relocation of bus traffic to Bancroft, proponents say.

We’re trying to follow best practices,” said Berkeley Design Advocates President Anthony Bruzzone. “Current best practices suggest that two-way streets are better for traffic and better for business.”

The proposal is one of many improvements to Telegraph Avenue’s current design suggested by Berkeley Design Advocates, a volunteer group of architects and urban planners. Other proposed improvements include extended sidewalks, improved street lighting and more interaction between retail and entertainment spaces.

The campus currently supports the proposal because it has the potential to improve safety, said Christine Shaff, communications director for UC Berkeley’s Facilities Services.

City Councilmember Kriss Worthington, however, has introduced a separate list of his own goals.

His proposal, called the Telegraph ACTION Plan, includes improvements like outdoor merchandise tables for retail stores, increased visibility of parking and a monthly music festival, all of which, he estimates, would cost $50,500.

While the financial impact of the project has yet to be calculated, Worthington has said his 12-item plan may cost less than the two-way street proposal.

“The focus on two-way streets and sending all that money at the expense of not doing these things is very problematic,” Worthington said. “I would say that these are more important and more time-sensitive than which way the cars are going.”

The Telegraph Business Improvement District also opposes the conversion of the two streets, said Executive Director Roland Peterson, and would rather see other improvements, like creating parklets — small parking spot-sized spaces for recreation and beautification —  which will also be discussed at Tuesday’s meeting.

“We’re very intrigued, but we need to flesh out more about parklets,” Peterson said. “We’re very much interested in possible redesigns of the street in ways that make it better for pedestrians and traffic.”

For those who walk or drive down Bancroft and Durant daily, the change would have mixed results.

“As a driver, two-way streets do have their conveniences,” said senior Amanda Garcia, who has been driving in Berkeley for several months. “As a student, though, one-way streets are kind of convenient. It’s easier to cross. I can see this being a positive change, though.”

Megan Messerly covers city government. Contact her at mmesserly@dailycal.org and follow her on Twitter @meganmesserly.

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At approximately 6:12 p.m., the victim was walking along the 2200 block of Durant Avenue when she was approached by a male and female, according to a UCPD crime alert released Friday.  The female suspect proceeded to allegedly spray the victim with pepper spray in an attempt to take her purse.

The victim managed to hold on to her purse and was not injured in the attack, according to the alert. The suspects then fled the area, possibly in a white vehicle.

The Berkeley Police Department searched the area but was unable to locate either the suspects or the vehicle.

According to the UCPD crime alert, the suspects are described as:

Suspect #1 –  A Black female, 23 years of age, 5’04” in height, heavy build, black hair in a bun, wearing a yellow shirt and blue jeans.

Suspect #2 – A Black male, 23 years of age, 6’4” in height, with a thin build.

Contact Andy Nguyen at anguyen@dailycal.org.

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Upon entering the new store, customers are greeted by a fresh produce section, a kiosk to serve fresh-brewed coffee and a pharmacy section complete with an open waiting area.

Store manager Olufemi Oyemakinde said the additional space of the new store — located at 2190 Shattuck Ave. and Allston Way — allows for the expression of the pharmacy chain’s motto, which is to live well, be well and stay well.

According to Walgreens media relations specialist Robert Elfinger, the new space is 16,892 square feet — a nearly 5,000 square-foot addition compared to the old store.

According to Oyemakinde, the old store closed on Friday, and the new store opened its doors to the public Monday after taking only two weeks to be put together.

“It’s amazing,” Oyemakinde said. “Just today itself, I think probably 75 percent of our produce has been depleted by people who have been coming in. The store is doing well, and I am excited for its future.”

Walgreens now includes a college and apartment living section, offering items such as towels, cooking appliances and utensils.

One of the more significant additions to the store is a fresh produce section of fruits and vegetables as well as other fresh foods like sushi and chicken salads.

According to John Caner, CEO of the Downtown Berkeley Association, the produce section is significant because it is a much closer option for residents in the Downtown Berkeley area to buy fresh produce.

Caner added that the new location will positively improve the Downtown Berkeley area because it is right in the “cultural hub” of the area, since it is located next to the Downtown Berkeley BART station.

Elfinger said the store relocated directly across the street on Shattuck Avenue to evade the busier traffic patterns that were present on the side of the street where the old store was located. Moving to the other side of the street allows for easier access to the new location, he said.

According to Elfinger, the opening of the new Walgreens store has been planned for several years, and the decision to move was not influenced by its rivalry with CVS Pharmacy, which has a store location on Shattuck and Durant avenues near the new Walgreens store.

“We will effect a positive change by providing Downtown the options of various healthy foods,” Oyemakinde said. “There are not many places that offer what we have.”

Contact Pooja Mhatre at pmhatre@dailycal.org.

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At 2:43 a.m., the three males, whose affiliation is unknown, were walking in the area of the intersection when they were approached by three unknown suspects on foot, according to a UCPD crime alert.

Two other suspects then approached in a vehicle, and one of the vehicle’s occupants got out and pointed a rifle at the victims, according to the alert.

Following this, the three suspects on foot approached the victims from behind and took the victims’ property, which included backpacks and cell phones.  One of the three suspects that approached on foot was armed with a handgun, according to the alert.

All of the suspects then got into the vehicle and fled the area.  The vehicle is described as a charcoal gray, late 90s Japanese-made sedan.  No one was injured during the encounter.

Below is the UCPD crime alert description of  the suspects:

Suspect  #1 —  “White Male, 18 years old, thin build, with blonde or brown hair, armed with a rifle.”

Suspect #2 —  “Black Male, 18-20 years old, 5’8″ tall, thin build, wearing a red sweatshirt, armed  with a handgun.”

Suspect #3 — “Black or Hispanic Male.”

Suspect #4 —  “Unknown Description”

Suspect #5 —  “Unknown Description”

View Three males victim of armed robbery at Durant Avenue and Bowditch Street in a larger map

Anjuli Sastry is an assistant news editor.

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At approximately 5:45 a.m., a 21-year-old male of unknown affiliation was walking on Dana Street and as he approached Durant Avenue, a vehicle pulled up and three suspects got out of the back of the car and walked up to him, according to a UCPD crime alert.

The first suspect allegedly pulled out a handgun and demanded the victim’s property while the second suspect was said to be holding what appeared to be a Taser gun as the third suspect stood by, according to the alert. The victim complied with the demand but did not see the car drive away.

The victim was not injured during the incident. The suspects were last seen walking south on Dana Street towards Channing Way but although Berkeley Police Department and UCPD officers searched the area, they were unable to find the suspects or the vehicle, according to the alert.

Below is the UCPD Crime Alert description of the suspects:

Suspect #1 — A Hispanic male in his 20s, 6’2”-6’4” in height, wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, a black Lakers baseball cap and holding a dark semi-automatic handgun.

Suspect #2 — A Hispanic male, 19 to 20-years-old, 5’8” in height, wearing a grey sweater, and holding a Taser like weapon.

Suspect #3 — A Hispanic male, 20-years-old, 5’8” in height, wearing a grey sweater and unknown pants, acting as a possible lookout.

Suspect Vehicle – A green Toyota 4 door.

View Armed robbery 5.28.12 in a larger map

Anjuli Sastry is an assistant news editor.

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The first occurred Tuesday at about 1:20 a.m. when a 63-year-old male victim was walking near the intersection of Durant and College avenues, according to a UCPD crime alert. According to the alert, five male teens approached the man and one of the teens allegedly pointed a semi-automatic type of handgun at the man. The suspects then allegedly took the man’s computer bag and fled on foot.

The male victim walked to UCPD’s location in Sproul Hall to report the robbery, according to the alert. Officers from UCPD and the Berkeley Police Department searched the area following the incident and were able to recover the victim’s bag and its contents but did not locate the suspects, according to the alert.

The second alleged armed robbery occurred at about 1:05 a.m. Thursday on College Avenue near Dwight Way, according to a second UCPD crime alert. In that incident, a man and woman were walking northbound on College when they were approached by three males, one of whom allegedly pointed a gun at them and demanded their property, according to the alert.

“The victims complied and the suspects fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction,” the alert reads.

Though BPD searched the area following the incident, they did not locate the suspects, according to the alert.

The suspects in the first incident are described as five male teenagers wearing dark clothing. In the second incident, the suspect who was allegedly carrying a gun is described as a 5’10″ male in his 20′s with a thin build, wearing a dark hoodie or jacket, dark pants and possibly a dark beanie. The second suspect is described as a 5’9″ – 5’10″ male in his 20′s with a medium build wearing dark clothing. The third suspect is described as a 5’8″ – 5’10″ male in his 20′s, wearing a dark jacket.

None of the victims in either incident were injured during the alleged armed robberies.

Sarah Burns is the assistant city news editor.

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At around 9 p.m., the victim, a 19-year-old female student, was walking with two friends on the 2600 block of Durant Avenue near Bowditch Street when a man approached her from behind and grabbed her inappropriately, according to a UCPD crime alert. UCPD responded to the scene and detained an individual, who matched the description of the suspect, at the intersection of Bowditch and Haste Street.

The suspect, Torra Lewis, 49, was positively identified by the victim and taken into custody by the Berkeley Police Department.

The victim was not physically injured during the encounter.

Stephanie Baer is the city news editor.

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On the morning of July 2 at about 5:36 a.m., the Berkeley Fire Department received a call regarding a fire in a three-story, 13-unit apartment building located at 2731 Durant Ave., according to Deputy Fire Chief Gilbert Dong. Upon arrival, the crews were met with a heavy amount of amount of smoke from the structure and requested assistance, resulting in a total of two trucks, two paramedic units, five engines and two fire chiefs on scene.

According to Dong, the fire was first spotted by a Berkeley Police Department officer who was driving in the area.

Dong said the fire was under control at about 6:26 p.m. and incurred an estimated $300,000 in structural damage and $150,000 in content damage — which includes personal belongings such as furniture — to the building.

No one was injured during the incident.

Additionally, on Monday at about 11:07 p.m., the department was dispatched to a reported fire on the roof of 3240 Ellis St. — a vacant two-story apartment building, Dong said. Eventually, the fire was extinguished largely through the use of aerial ladders, and crews were pulled out of the building’s interior once it became evident that the roof was compromised, according to Dong.

“During the course of battling the fire, the fire presented some pretty impressive flame lengths,” Dong said, which resulted in a partial collapse of the roof.

The fire was declared under control at about 12:30 a.m. and began on the roof accidentally, probably because of illegal firework activity in the area, Dong said.

According to Dong, people in at least two nearby apartment buildings were evacuated, though no one was injured during the incident.

J.D. Morris is an assistant news editor.

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