Measure S Campaign Anticipates Loss, Looks at Next Steps

Measure S campaigners are considering next steps in addressing Berkeley’s commercial district problems in light of the measure’s likely failure.

“Yes On S” campaign leader Roland Peterson said he and fellow Measure S supporters are hoping for a “small miracle” to bring pro-Measure S percentage points above anti-S votes, but he said his campaign thinks the measure will not pass.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, Measure S, which would ban sitting on sidewalks in the city's commercial areas from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., . Alameda County elections officials are predicting final and certified results will be released Dec. 4.

Peterson, who directs the Telegraph Property and Business Improvement District, said the fear among S supporters is that the problem of Berkeley homelessness, and its effect on local businesses, “is going to get worse.”

He said that if the measure is shot down, it might attract more loiterers to Berkeley’s sidewalks.

Supporters of the measure say it would help Berkeley's struggling commercial districts by clearing sidewalks of loiterers who deter shoppers, while opponents say sit-lie laws don't work and unfairly target poor people.

Peterson said that if the measure fails, his campaign will step back from the sit-lie law proposal and focus more on other moves to address Berkeley’s struggling commercial areas.

Those will include a workshop later in the month with the Berkeley Design Advocates — a volunteer group of urban planners, architects, designers and engineers — on a new vision plan for Telegraph Avenue.

The workshop will be held Nov. 27, before the scheduled Berkeley City Council meeting.

*Bay City News Service contributed to this article.