Demolition permits have been filed for 2529-2531 Telegraph Avenue in Southside, Berkeley. The application aims to remove contaminated soil associated with a former Dry Cleaning business that operated on the site for decades, with no immediate plans for new housing. Viet Truong of Diagram Architecture is listed as the project applicant.
The demolition process will remove the existing single-story structure, which was built in 1961 and occupies much of the 0.14-acre property. According to the application, demolition will enable the “comprehensive removal of residual subsurface contamination associated with a former dry-cleaning use.” The existing structure is currently occupied by two businesses, and the dry-cleaning business was operating decades before the current property owner purchased the site.
Historic use of a toxic chemical, perchloroethylene, also known as PCE, has been linked to severe soil and groundwater contamination below dry cleaning businesses. PCE is found to cause deadly diseases and even cancer. Its use has been banned in California for years, with a nationwide ban announced by the EPA late last year.
The site is located next to the 2019-built Panoramic Berkeley apartment complex, and the now topped-out construction project by Gilbane Development at 2587 Telegraph Avenue.
The property owner is listed as a Sacramento-based LLC. The estimated cost and timeline for demolition and remediation have yet to be shared.
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More high rise in Berk. Not a bad thing, glad I don’t live nearby though I wonder why and how so many dry cleaners pollute the ground? I’d think they would take better care with their chemicals, but I guess they haven’t cared, or let the used perk leak. My Mother work in a drycleaners for years, and didn’t seem to have any side effects of it. Maybe she’d have lived longer than 84 years, though?
Would there be some issue for multi-story development from the side windows on the neighboring properties?
Surprised the property on the right would be able to have all of those windows without buying air rights… regardless, I imagine there will be a lot line setback to ensure the required amount of airflow and light happen.