Dear Neighbors on Oxford St,

I have lived on this street for well over a decade. During that time, I have discussed the possibility of getting the street repaired with various council members. Nothing has come of these discussions, partly because Oxford Street is paved with concrete, which makes resurfacing more difficult.

A few months ago, it came to my attention that there were plans to resurface Oxford Street but only from Hearst to Cedar. I was dismayed that after all this time, they were going to fix Oxford St, but not all the way.

As you know from living on this street, it is very busy and quite noisy. All the streets in Berkeley are in poor repair but the combination of the configuration of our street (being concrete and having gaps built into the street between sections) and the ever increasing potholes, makes the noise level on Oxford worse. There are times when trucks barrel down the street, bouncing so much that it can sound like fireworks going off.

I contacted city council member Sophie Hahn who has been very sympathetic and responsive. I am currently working with one of her staff members, Brandon Norris, to try to get the resurfacing of Oxford St, which is due to be done in 2018, extended up to Rose Street. These last two blocks are, in my opinion, in just as bad repair as the section between Hearst and Cedar. Getting them to extend their work is much more cost effective than doing a separate project.

In order for us to prevail, I will need the support of the community. I am asking that you sign our petition, requesting that these two blocks of Oxford St be resurfaced when they are doing the already scheduled project which goes to Cedar Street.

Click here to view the cities current paving plan.

Please join me in this effort to improve the quality of life on Oxford Street by lending your support to this project. If you are interested in updates about this project and/or are willing to work with us to get this done, please email me for more information: mbarlow226@hotmail.com

Thank you.

Mary Barlow