Wrubel Leads Berkeley District 1 by 55 Votes as Alameda Reviews SAP

Ballot tabulations, coastal resilience planning, and bus route adjustments shaped civic activity across Berkeley, Alameda, and Oakland at the end of the week. In Berkeley's open District 1 City Council contest, Daria Wrubel overtook Laura Babitt by 55 votes in Friday's ranked-choice update, while the Alameda Planning Board prepared for a November 9 session on its Shoreline Adaptation Plan and the Oakland Roots interim stadium permit and AC Transit implemented an immediate Line 14 detour along High Street in Oakland.

Wrubel Moves Ahead by 55 Votes in Berkeley District 1

The contest to succeed outgoing Berkeley District 1 Councilwoman Rashi Kesarwani tightened sharply on Friday after election officials counted roughly 2,100 additional ballots, raising the District 1 total from 3,832 ballots on election night to 5,950 ballots. On election night, Laura Babitt had led Daria Wrubel 52% to 48%, a margin of 144 votes.

Friday's ranked-choice tabulation reversed that order, putting Wrubel in front with 2,847 votes (50.49%) to Babitt's 2,792 votes (49.51%)—a difference of 55 votes. In raw first-choice ballots, just 52 votes separate the top three contenders: Wrubel leads with 1,523 first-choice votes, followed by Babitt with 1,508 and Ross Bernet with 1,471. With additional ballots still to be counted—compared with 6,625 total votes cast in the 2022 District 1 race—the next update is scheduled for Monday after 5 p.m.

Alameda Planning Board Weighs Shoreline Plan and Roots Venue Permit

On Monday, November 9, at 7 p.m., the Alameda Planning Board will convene on the third floor of City Hall at 2263 Santa Clara Avenue (and via Zoom at 669-900-9128, Meeting ID 815 3979 3319) for a study session on the city's Shoreline Adaptation Plan (SAP) and a public hearing on a use permit and design review for the Oakland Roots and Soul Soccer Club.

Alameda received a $1.14 million grant in September from the California Ocean Protection Council to advance the SAP beyond its existing-conditions phase following an August 2024 workshop at the REAP Climate Center, with a draft plan expected by spring or summer 2027. In the same meeting, the board will consider allowing the Oakland Roots to install stands and stadium lighting at their Harbor Bay Parkway training facility to host up to 27 professional soccer matches and smaller sporting events annually for the 2027 season. Because the Alameda County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) rejected the proposal in September due to proximity to Oakland San Francisco Bay International Airport, the City Council must first determine by a two-thirds majority vote that the venue conforms with the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan or State Aeronautics Act before the Planning Board can act after its prior June and August workshops.

AC Transit Reroutes Line 14 Along High Street and MacArthur Boulevard

In Oakland, AC Transit placed an immediate detour into effect on November 5, 2026, for Line 14 buses operating between Fruitvale BART and West Oakland BART. Toward Fruitvale BART, 8 stops are closed: MacArthur Boulevard and Maybelle Avenue (stop 57677), High Street and MacArthur Boulevard (54557), High Street and Porter Street (53279), High Street and Virginia Avenue (53293), High Street and Fleming Avenue (53291), High Street and Brookdale Avenue (53833), High Street and Santa Rita Street (53354), and High Street and Carrington Street (53286). Riders are directed to alternative boarding locations at High Street and Foothill Boulevard (51605) or MacArthur Boulevard and 38th Avenue (56785).

Toward West Oakland BART, 7 stops are closed: High Street and Foothill Boulevard (53281), High Street and Carrington Street (53287), High Street and Brookdale Avenue (54475), High Street and Fleming Avenue (53289), High Street and Virginia Avenue (53292), High Street and Porter Street/MacArthur Boulevard (58994), and MacArthur Boulevard and 39th Avenue (55300). Westbound riders may board at MacArthur Boulevard and Patterson Avenue (58877) or High Street and International Boulevard (51234).