California / IN BRIEF : BERKELEY : City to Get Control of People’s Park

A UC Regents’ committee has voted to cede joint control of the controversial People’s Park to the city of Berkeley. Under the plan, UC and the city will install athletic facilities and other amenities at the university-owned park in hopes of making it more inviting to students and the public. If things don’t improve within five years, UC will build a dormitory there. Some regents, not trusting the city to uphold the agreement, wanted to build housing right away. In recent years, People’s Park has been a haven for the homeless and drug dealers. In 1969, a previous UC plan to build on the 2.8-acre park sparked violent protests in which one person was killed and dozens injured. The full Board of Regents must approve the agreement before it becomes effective.