By Courtney Hall
March 7, 2003
The Gill Tract, a 10-acre parcel of farmland
just north of Berkeley, is one of the Bay Area¹s last agricultural
sites. Located at the corner of San Pablo Avenue and Buchanan Street,
the Gill Tract and the unmistakable grove of Monterey Pines serve
as the gateway to Albany and its rich agricultural history.
The Gill Tract has been under cultivation
for over 100 years. In 1904 Edward Gill purchased 104 acres of land,
part of which later became the Gill Tract, and founded a nursery
that became nationally renowned for its antique roses. In 1928,
the University of California purchased the nursery. Since the mid-40s
the Gill Tract has been home to the UC Division of Biological Control,
a group studying the control of insect pests using predator-prey
populations as an alternative to the conventional use of pesticides.
Every summer since the 1980s, UC professor Dr. Miguel Altieri has
conducted research in sustainable agriculture, including Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) along with a community farm on the site.
The Gill Tract has served not only as an
educational resource, but has also promoted food security for the
local Bay Area community. In the early 90s, the Gill Tract was home
to a successful Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program run
by Patrick Archie, a UCB graduate student. Last summer, Building
Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), a program of the Urban
Gardening Institute, harvested over one ton of produce from less
than one-acre at the Gill Tract for use by a shelter in Oakland.
Employing at-risk youth, providing a local source of organic produce,
and running training workshops, these programs are examples of the
future possibilities for the Gill Tract as a community gathering
space, a valuable educational and research tool, and a food source.
Currently, the UC, under pressure to find
more affordable housing, is looking to develop the 26-acre northeastern
portion of the University Village, including the Gill Tract. Development
will include new graduate student housing units, retail shops, and
the relocation of Little League baseball fields and a community
center. The university¹s Request for Proposals, released in July
2002, gives no mention of agricultural and open space preservation
of the Gill Tract, located in the northern portion of this site.
Urban Roots, a coalition of concerned UC
students, faculty and community members, are organizing to work
in cooperation with the university to preserve the Gill Tract. In
November 2002, Urban Roots submitted a written proposal to the university,
stating that redevelopment of the 26-acre San Pablo property should
be confined to the 16 acres that have already been developed with
infrastructure. While striving for high density development on this
land by introducing such concepts as car share programs and co-housing,
Urban Roots proposes that the remaining acreage be preserved for
its historical use as open space and agricultural land.
At the same time, city planners, urban
gardeners, and school teachers are working together to come up with
a vision for the preserved land that would incorporate all stakeholders
interests, some of which include a community gathering space, demonstration
gardens, a city park, a community café and museum in the Gill family
bungalow, a Center for Urban Ecological Living, a field laboratory
for UC students and faculty, and an urban farm.
In late February, the University chose
Tennessee-based Allen & O¹Hara as the development agency for the
project. According to the UC¹s plans, redevelopment of this property
will start as early as Fall 2005. For Urban Roots and other community
members and activists concerned with the future of this valuable
resource, this is a crucial time for rallying political support
and raising awareness. Development of this land represents the loss
of history and a healthy urban ecosystem, the demise of a community
urban farm, and the loss of unique research and educational opportunities
for our children. In March 2003, Urban Roots will begin a series
of meetings with Allen & O¹Hara and UC Capital Projects to discuss
the Urban Roots proposal. Urban Roots welcomes letter writing to
the Chancellor, phone calls and participation in organizing.
To receive more information or to get involved
visit www.gilltract.com
or email gilltract@yahoo.com.
To receive updates join the Urban Roots list-serve at gilltract-subscribe@lists.riseup.net.
To view UC Berkeley¹s proposed plans go to www.cp.berkeley.edu.
Chancellor Berdahl
Office of the Chancellor
200 California Hall #1500
Berkeley, CA 94720
Phone: (510) 642-7464
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