Civic Center Upper Plaza Improvements Project

Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park is located in Downtown Berkeley and is part of the Civic Center Historic District, which is listed on the National Register for Historic Places and is a registered City of Berkeley Landmark.  Within Civic Center Park, there is a fountain that was decommissioned in the mid-1970’s.  The fountain was 50-feet in diameter, with two tiered levels that stepped up to a cylindrical core where water jets and lights were once mounted.  

The Civic Center Upper Plaza Improvements Project in downtown Berkeley renovated the eastern area of Civic Center Park around the decommissioned fountain.  Improvements included enhancements for safety, aesthetics, comfort, functionality, and usability.

The project was completed in August 2025. Improvements included:

• Replacement of the deteriorated and uneven flagstone terrace
• Restoration of the Peace Wall tiles and artwork
• Installation of new benches, updated signage, and trash receptacles
• Upgrades to ADA access throughout the plaza
• New irrigation system to support landscaping enhancements with new native and pollinator-friendly plantings
• Installation of utility infrastructure to support future developments