Award-winning Indie Filmmakers Threatened With Eviction in Berkeley

The meeting was called by Mayor Tom Bates after a dozen of the artists -- who include some of the most distinguished names in the business -- came before the council last week and asked for help in dealing with their landlord, Rich Robbins of San Rafael-based Wareham Development. Their spokesperson, Oscar nominee Rick Goldsmith, told how the 7-story office building at 10th and Parker was purchased by Wareham in February. Since then, the new owner has demanded that the tenants agree to 40-100% rent increases or move out by April 1.

The developer claims he wants to turn the building into “a world-class media center," but Goldsmith said that “he treats the world-class artists working there like dirt.” Surrounded by colleagues holding posters advertising their acclaimed works, Goldsmith requested “a crisis intervention from the city of Berkeley so that we can make and carry out plans to keep our community together.” Specifically, the tenants are hoping the city can persuade Wareham to agree to a 6-month moratorium on rent increases, forced leases and evictions while they look for another workspace that can accommodate them.

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