As cleanup efforts continues at the fire-devastated Lineage Logistics food-storage warehouse in Boyle Heights, a debate was raging Friday over whether the company missed a city-imposed deadline to complete the work.
Mayor Karen Bass had imposed a 45-day deadline for Lineage to complete the removal of roughly 85 million pounds of rotting food from the warehouse. Bass contends Friday is the end of that 45-day period, and she accused the company of failing to deliver on its promise to meet or beat the deadline.
“Lineage is a multibillion-dollar company with the resources to meet the 45-day deadline I set,” Bass said in a statement. “They have indicated that they will not meet it (Friday). Meanwhile, the people of Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles continue to live with the consequences. Families are still dealing with horrific odors and the constant uncertainty of when this nightmare will end.
“At every turn, Lineage has failed to meet its responsibility to this community. I’m calling on our city lawyers to pursue civil litigation and all legal options for cost recovery and penalties and to put a lien on the property. I will continue doing everything in my authority to protect Boyle Heights and demand the answers and accountability this community deserves.”
Lineage, however, took issue with the mayor’s timelines, insisting it still has another week left in the 45-day cleanup period, and saying it is working in good faith to meet that deadline.
“The 45-day cleanup clock began on July 7, the day the Los Angeles Fire Department ended its 24-hour fire watch at the site after persistent flare-ups made it unsafe to enter,” according to a Lineage statement Friday. “That date is documented in every report we have submitted to the city and is the start date recognized by the South Coast (Air Quality Management District). We are at day 37. We have time remaining, and we intend to use every hour of it.
“As of today, 93% of bulk food waste has been removed from the site. While we are in the home stretch, we know our job isn’t done yet. We are targeting completion of bulk food removal by August 20, followed by spot cleaning, disinfecting and detailing work by August 27, consistent with AQMD’s orders.”
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado said in a statement she was “deeply disappointed and angry” about what she believes is Lineage Logistics’ apparent failure to complete the cleanup by the deadline.
” For nearly two months, families in Boyle Heights have lived with unbearable odors, flies and pests, truck traffic, uncertainty, and disruption to their homes, businesses, and daily lives. They were told there was a deadline, and they had every right to expect that deadline to mean something,” said Jurado, whose 14th District includes Boyle Heights.
Jurado urged Bass to enforce penalties against the company it if it misses its deadline.
“I welcome every additional resource and every dollar of assistance that reaches Boyle Heights families, workers, and small businesses. But charitable assistance cannot substitute for accountability. The companies responsible for creating and responding to this disaster must bear responsibility for making this community whole,” Jurado said in a statement.
Jurado noted that she was concerned the company might fail to meet additional deadlines set forth by Bass. Within 90 days of the executive order, the company must have full structural and construction debris removed, and within 120 days the company must obtain final environmental clearance.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis also criticized the pace of the cleanup Thursday, saying residents and businesses in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles have endured nearly two months of odors, environmental concerns and other disruptions.
“I am disheartened and disappointed that Lineage’s cleanup remains incomplete, despite actions that the County of Los Angeles has taken at my direction to accelerate the process,” Solis said.
“Lineage must continue to implement a rapid and comprehensive cleanup that ensures no waste is left behind, while also making sure surrounding communities are made whole, clear of the flies and vermin that have impacted residents as a result of this nearly two-month cleanup,” Solis added.
Cleanup began July 7 at the cold storage facility at 1400 S. Los Palos St., where a June 17 fire burned for eight days and left large quantities of spoiled food inside.
Lineage Logistics said earlier this week it expected to complete the removal of the bulk food waste by the end of the week.
“We continue to make meaningful progress against this massive cleanup effort every single day, and we will keep working until the job is done,” Jeff Rivera, Lineage Logistics’ chief operating officer, said in a statement released Tuesday.
The company has pledged to spend between $80 million and $100 million on cleanup efforts.
The cleanup has generated thousands of odor complaints from surrounding neighborhoods and concerns about flies, rats and other pests.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District said it received more than 4,200 odor complaints related to the warehouse between July 12 and Aug. 5 and issued 25 notices of violations to Lineage.
A South Coast AQMD hearing board last week unanimously approved a modified abatement order requiring the company to implement additional odor-control measures during the cleanup.
Lineage said it has distributed hundreds of fly traps to residents, while Orkin pest control service is installing 576 traps in public spaces in the surrounding neighborhood.
The company also said Tuesday it had contacted 87% of residents closest to the warehouse and would continue attempts to reach the remaining households.
The fire sent thick smoke into the air and prompted officials to advise nearby residents to remain indoors. The city, county and state issued local emergency declarations in the days following the blaze.
The fire and its aftermath also prompted state lawmakers this week to announce proposed legislation aimed at increasing penalties and imposing additional requirements on cold storage facilities.
Assemblyman Mark González, D-Los Angeles, is seeking to require contingency funds for new cold storage facilities in Los Angeles and Los Angeles County, while Sen. MarÃa Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles, is proposing increased fines for public health violations at such facilities.