Cooperative Center FCU – Berkeley

Cooperative Center FCU sold its main office and branch in Berkeley, CA, to make way for an affordable housing development. The credit union relocated its administrative operations to a highly visible 2400sf leasehold retail branch.

The Challenges

Member Service, Uninterrupted

The pandemic presented new challenges for everyone in the construction industry. TruEdge met each challenge and completed the branch relocation on a tight schedule with no interruptions to member services.

Zoning Hurdle

The credit union and TruEdge tactfully secured the critical Administrative Use Permit (AUP) from the City of Berkeley to enable the branch to operate on a site not originally zoned for that use. The finalization of the AUP made the branch a possibility.

A Good Neighbor

Working at an accelerated pace while observing the landlord’s and municipal rules to not disturb residential tenants above and commercial tenants adjacent to the branch required timely and thorough communication with all parties.

In an especially challenging year for the credit union, TruEdge Builds facilitated the relocation of the Berkeley branch while the staff maintained its focus on serving those members who were financially impacted by the pandemic.

The Solutions

An Expression of Deeply Held Values

The new Berkeley branch is a tangible symbol of Cooperative Center FCU’s community-centered values. The transition achieved two important goals: Current and new members enjoy an updated experience, while the affordable housing project at the credit union’s former home meets an urgent need in the community.

The new 2400sf location on San Pablo Avenue is a modern and efficient retail branch that includes a large conference room, private office, two member service representative stations, four teller stations, break room and street-accessed ATM vestibule.

“We couldn’t just stand by and watch our neighborhood struggle from the impacts of gentrification and displacement. It’s getting harder to afford to live in the Berkeley community. Selling our branch was the right thing to do”. —Fadhila Holman, CCFCU CEO