In this edition of our Semi-Monthly newsletter, we share seven stories relevant to Emeryville that you may have missed, including:
Emeryville Joins Fire Truck Antitrust Lawsuit
Emeryville has joined a growing nationwide antitrust lawsuit accusing major fire truck manufacturers and private equity firms of driving up prices and extending delivery times for emergency vehicles. A recent Jacobin feature examines the allegations, arguing that industry consolidation has left cities like Emeryville paying more and waiting years longer for critical firefighting equipment.
Photo: TheCastro.com.
Emeryville Firm Embroiled In High-Profile Castro Theatre Dispute
An Emeryville-based contractor is at the center of a high-profile legal dispute over the restoration of San Francisco’s iconic Castro Theatre. Venue operator Another Planet Entertainment has expanded its legal claims against Alarcon Bohm Corporation following accusations of faulty roofing work that allegedly damaged the theater’s historic interior, alongside a $4.7 million billing conflict that remains in arbitration.
Alarcon Bohm CEO Kevin Bohm defended the firm’s work, noting that the project faced significant challenges—including starting without a completed design, navigating at least six major plan revisions, and taking on extra scopes of work to meet the target opening night deadline.
Alarcon Bohm specializes in rehabilitating landmark buildings with structural sensitivity and has worked on other high-profile Bay Area projects, including Oakland’s Rotunda Building and Fox Theater.
ABC & EPD Stepping Up Underage Alcohol Enforcement
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and the Emeryville PD have been regularly conducting underage alcohol stings throughout the city.
These compliance checks—including Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap operations—have already resulted in citations, arrests and temporary license suspensions for local businesses.
It’s happening!
— Robert Prinz (@prinzrob.bsky.social) August 14, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Slower Streets Ordinance Brings 15 MPH Speed Limits To Emeryville
The City of Emeryville has begun implementing the Slower Streets Ordinance it passed in April. Over half of the city’s streets—mostly east of the Union Pacific tracks along the city’s bike network—now have posted speed limits of 15 and 20 mph. Enabled by California Assembly Bill 43, the change allows the city to reduce speed limits on local residential corridors without requiring traditional traffic speed surveys, with new signage and pavement markings rolling out across town.
Photo: ebaldc.org
EBALDC Outsources Operations At Local Affordable Housing Sites
Operations at key affordable housing communities along the San Pablo Avenue corridor are set to change hands as non-profit developer EBALDC restructures its portfolio. Facing industry-wide cost pressures, EBALDC is laying off 81 property management staff and outsourcing site operations across 24 East Bay locations to contractor WinnResidential. The transition directly impacts local developments, including Emeryville’s Avalon Senior Housing and the historic 137-unit California Hotel just across the Oakland border.
EBT Spotlights Veteran Artist Behind Iconic Public Art
Anyone who has walked or driven through The East Bay Bridge Shopping Center has likely encountered the whimsical steel cutouts, decorative gates, and rusted metal figures of sculptor Mark Bulwinkle. A new feature in the East Bay Times traces Bulwinkle’s long career, his idiosyncratic style, and his deep roots in the East Bay art scene.
Injured Doyle-Hollis Park Hawk Released
A hawk rescued in Emeryville last month after crashing into a window near Doyle Hollis Park has made a full recovery and been released back into the wild. Following treatment for a broken clavicle at Lindsay Wildlife Experience and live-hunt training with Bay Raptor Rescue, local volunteers successfully returned the raptor to its neighborhood park across from The Compound Gallery.
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