Rats in the ceiling have temporarily shut down the North Berkeley Senior Center this week, halting daily lunches and programs and suddenly scattering the regular midday crowd of older residents. City staff have closed the building while pest-control crews move in to inspect, set traps, and secure the facility.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Berkeley Manager of Aging Services Rhianna Babka told seniors and staff in an email that the city had hired a pest controller to examine the building and place traps, and that the center is expected to reopen the week of April 20. “This is obviously unfortunate and disruptive,” Babka wrote, adding that “staff are working hard to eradicate the rats and secure the building.”
Renovation makes closure a setback
According to City of Berkeley records, the North Berkeley Senior Center only reopened in 2022 after a major renovation that included a seismic retrofit, a new HVAC system and rooftop solar panels. The overhaul was part of Measure T1 and was reported to have cost about $9 million, per Berkeleyside.
City response and public-health context
The shutdown comes as Berkeley is already dealing with rodent-related public health concerns. In January, county and city officials issued advisories after tests detected leptospirosis in rats and dogs near a Harrison Street encampment, triggering trapping efforts and outreach in the area. Alameda County Public Health has urged residents and pet owners to take precautions while abatement work continues.
What seniors should expect…