For those wondering about the mysterious space along the Emeryville Greenway with the bright green picnic benches, we finally have an answer for you. The E’ville Eye has learned that the striped asphalt lot behind the Berkeley Amazon Fulfillment Center will soon begin hosting free outdoor movie nights, with the bigger idea of serving as a community gathering space.

“The space is called ‘Greenway31’; the owners of the Foundry 31 building (FKA Marchant on the Greenway) brought us on to design and activate this space with the goal of establishing it as a community hub for the neighborhood,” noted program designer Allegra Madsen. Madsen works for SF based non-profit, Here for NOW, which coordinates programming efforts at Proxy SF (Hayes Valley) and NOW Hunters Point.

“We’ve been producing free cultural events and outdoor movies as part of a larger effort to activate underutilized public spaces and provide free access to cultural programming for the better part of three years,” noted Madsen, describing her company’s ambitions.

“We see that offering free public cultural programming goes a long way to affect how individuals view public space and interact with their neighbors, increasing a sense of stewardship and community. With the movie nights, our motto is simple ‘Let’s watch movies outside together.'”

There is also discussions of incorporating an AKA Coffee kiosk into the space according to Berekleyside.com.

This site is promoted as being in Emeryville but the actual borders near here are a bit arbitrary and it’s likely it overlaps West Berkeley. The neighborhood has some history as being referred to as “Three Corners” and there are future plans to recognize the spot where Emeryville, Berkeley & Oakland meet with a physical monument according to City of Emeryville Community Development Director Charles Bryant.

Greenway31’s ‘Sunset Cinema’ will kickoff by showing recently released independent films. “Films that folks may have missed in the theater and films that are just better as a shared experience” according to Madsen.

Greenway31’s first movie night will be this Thursday, August 31st and show the 2016 New Zealand film “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” starring Sam Neill (Jurassic Park). Hunt for the Wilderpeople is the story of a boy and his foster-father who become the subjects of a manhunt after they get stranded in the New Zealand wilderness.

Food truck service will be provided by Ebbett’s Good to Go with beers by Novel Brewing Company. Those interested in attending can are encouraged to bring low-profile chairs and blankets. Happy Hour will begin at 6pm and movies will begin at sundown. You can RSVP through the Proxy SF Facebook event page.

Location: 1240 67th St (Emeryville Greenway at Folger), Emeryville, CA 94608.