John J. Parman
@j2parman.bsky.social
Writer-editor based in Berkeley
This is like an Onion article!
December 12, 2025 at 2:59 AM
This is like an Onion article!
He's also trying to sell out Taiwan.
December 3, 2025 at 1:00 AM
He's also trying to sell out Taiwan.
This project begs many questions. I'm not sure state permits are the answer. That billionaires are doing this speaks to a tax regime insufficient for the size of our economy. Also MIA is effective regional governance to fund transit and protect agriculture. State permits risk falling short on both.
December 3, 2025 at 12:15 AM
This project begs many questions. I'm not sure state permits are the answer. That billionaires are doing this speaks to a tax regime insufficient for the size of our economy. Also MIA is effective regional governance to fund transit and protect agriculture. State permits risk falling short on both.
I wish we had both.
November 25, 2025 at 7:41 AM
I wish we had both.
Okay, it's like Oakland before they put in the connector - shuttle buses from light rail and CalTrain.
November 24, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Okay, it's like Oakland before they put in the connector - shuttle buses from light rail and CalTrain.
I thought San Jose's airport is served by light rail and CalTrain. Not true?
November 24, 2025 at 3:59 AM
I thought San Jose's airport is served by light rail and CalTrain. Not true?
Possibly predictive.
November 22, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Possibly predictive.
He’s the one quoted in the article.
November 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
He’s the one quoted in the article.
Thank you, I didn't know this. I did know it was above the average of non-union wages.
November 21, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Thank you, I didn't know this. I did know it was above the average of non-union wages.
Is that true? I thought "prevailing" took the trades into account but didn't define it exclusively based on them. (This is a real question; I'm not sure.)
November 21, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Is that true? I thought "prevailing" took the trades into account but didn't define it exclusively based on them. (This is a real question; I'm not sure.)
Nothing against the density laws, but they can used or abused.
November 21, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Nothing against the density laws, but they can used or abused.
Alas, my taco-eating days are gone.
November 21, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Alas, my taco-eating days are gone.
Not sure I understand your point. That the city should subsidize the additional cost - is that what you mean?
November 21, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Not sure I understand your point. That the city should subsidize the additional cost - is that what you mean?
I'm repeating what the trades have asserted, but my understanding is that the City of Berkeley required that the developer pay prevailing wage, which is routinely undercut by non-union subs.
November 21, 2025 at 3:39 AM
I'm repeating what the trades have asserted, but my understanding is that the City of Berkeley required that the developer pay prevailing wage, which is routinely undercut by non-union subs.
Apparently it does.
November 21, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Apparently it does.
Yes, the building cited about the trades is the McDonald's site at the northwest corner of University and Shattuck. Mark Rhoades is the developer. I may have confused the two buildings, which look fairly similar. Both buildings are using the density law, I believe.
November 21, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Yes, the building cited about the trades is the McDonald's site at the northwest corner of University and Shattuck. Mark Rhoades is the developer. I may have confused the two buildings, which look fairly similar. Both buildings are using the density law, I believe.
I don’t know the details - only that he agreed to it and is now using state law to get out of it.
November 20, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I don’t know the details - only that he agreed to it and is now using state law to get out of it.
The agreement is to pay “prevailing wage,” I believe.
November 20, 2025 at 11:29 PM
The agreement is to pay “prevailing wage,” I believe.
I think the deal was that he was to exclude non-union bidders, and he’s reneging. Of course they can bid, but they are likely to be higher.
November 20, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I think the deal was that he was to exclude non-union bidders, and he’s reneging. Of course they can bid, but they are likely to be higher.
That’s not how I read it.
November 20, 2025 at 11:20 PM
That’s not how I read it.
Developer wants to exclude the trades.
www.berkeleyside.org/2025/11/18/b...
www.berkeleyside.org/2025/11/18/b...
Developers have found way to bypass Berkeley’s labor standards for housing construction
Developers are using a powerful state housing law to get around Berkeley's labor standards. Construction unions want to block their projects.
www.berkeleyside.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Developer wants to exclude the trades.
www.berkeleyside.org/2025/11/18/b...
www.berkeleyside.org/2025/11/18/b...