A toxic foundry finally left East Oakland. Then the city allowed in a new polluter

Auto Plus Towing began operating on a contaminated lot in East Oakland, previously housing the AB&I metal foundry, which had been shut down due to toxic emissions. The foundry's closure was met with relief, but its legacy of contamination persisted, leading to a lengthy remediation process. Community advocates noticed new towing activities on the site, which raised alarms about potential environmental hazards. Gabrielle Sloane-Law from Communities for a Better Environment voiced concerns about the city's lack of regulatory oversight. Alameda County confirmed that the towing activities violated deed restrictions established in 2011 to protect the environment.

Prologis, the current owner, believed it was acting within its rights until notified otherwise. This incident highlights significant communication failures between the city, the county, and affected residents. An array of organizations are now working to address the fallout and ensure the site is properly cleaned up.