A 2.2-acre parcel of land in West Berkeley, known as the Ohlone Shellmound village site, has been transferred to the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust after a long legal battle and a historic $27 million agreement, according to the Mercury News. The deal includes $25.5 million from the Land Trust and will be paid to Ruegg & Ellsworth, a development firm that has been embroiled in court battles with the City of Berkeley.
The property at 1900 Fourth St., located at University Avenue, currently houses a parking lot on what is believed to be one of San Francisco Bay’s earliest human settlements. In 2000, Ruegg & Ellsworth acquired partial ownership of this site and later attempted to sell it for development by Blake Griggs Properties – an out-of-town company seeking approval for its proposed housing project consisting of 260 units.
This sparked years-long debates between activists and developers until Blake Griggs requested an expedited review process in early-2018 which was ultimately denied due to historical designation given back in 2000. As a result, they withdrew their offer while Ruegg & Ellsworth proceeded with suing Berkeley city officials over this matter.
Rendering courtesy: Shellmound.org.
The article “Shellmound Site Returned To Ohlone Tribe For $27M” discusses how after years spent battling it out legally over control rights regarding West Berkley’s prized piece land – known locally as ‘Ohlone Shellmound Village’ – Sogorea Te’ Land Trust finally emerged victorious thanks largely due diligence efforts put forth by both parties involved; namely those representing developer group (Ruegg&Ellsworth) who were forced into paying hefty sum totaling twenty-seven millions dollars ($25million coming straight from trust fund itself). This move marks end chapter long-running saga surrounding disputed area where last remaining undeveloped portion original settlement still stands today.
Located at 1900 Fourth Street, University Avenue, this particular site has been subject heated debate ever since Ruegg&Ellsworth took partial ownership back in year two-thousand (2000), followed shortly thereafter by their attempt selling off said property to Blake Griggs Properties – a company based out Danville looking construct massive housing project consisting some two-hundred sixty units total. Despite years spent wrangling over every detail related land’s future fate between activists and developers alike; it wasn’t until recently that latter party finally requested expedited ministerial review process for its proposed development plan only be denied due historical designation given nearly decade prior (in 2000). As result this failed bid acquisition, Ruegg&Ellsworth decided take legal action against city officials responsible for denying them right build upon disputed area.
Rendering courtesy: Shellmound.org
