Should Berkeley encourage the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to locate its second campus at one of three potential sites in West Berkeley?

Currently LBNL is located in the hills above the UC Berkeley campus. Establishing a second campus is an effort to consolidate laboratory programs currently in leased spaces in Walnut Creek, Emeryville and Berkeley and provide room for future facilities as LBNL pursues its scientific research mission.

Of the six potential sites selected by the Lab, three are all or partially in Berkeley: Berkeley Aquatic Park West, Golden Gate Fields, and an Emeryville/West Berkeley site already home to some LBNL offices.

LBNL is doing cutting edge research in a variety of fields that potentially have major global benefits. Proponents state that LBNL will generate spin-offs and attract for-profit startups that will generate tax revenue, create opportunities for neighborhood revitalization and provide additional job opportunities for Berkeley residents. There will likely be increased demand for local products and services from other West Berkeley businesses.

Others have concerns that since LBNL is federally funded, new research buildings will not generate any property tax revenues. Others have concerns about traffic congestion, increased demand for parking and other impacts on the shoreline.

For more information on the economic benefits of the second campus on the Bay Area from LBNL read the attached report: Economic Benefits of the LBNL Second Campus (http://www.lbnl-cag.org/docManager/1000000047/LBNL%20ppt_CBRE_11-08-10b.pdf)

Additional information can be found at http://www.lbl.gov/community/second-campus/index.html