Opponents Fail to Halt Concrete Plant Approval

A coalition of Teamsters and local residents failed to stop the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday from approving construction of a concrete plant in an unincorporated area near Gardena.

The Teamsters opposed the project because the company that would operate the plant, Robertson’s Ready Mix, is not unionized. Teamsters circled the Hall of Administration with trucks in a demonstration, briefly blocking entrances before going inside to object to the project during a hearing.

About 75 residents attended to speak against the plant as a source of unwanted dust and traffic. “Why is our community a dumping ground for dangerous and unwelcome business?” longtime resident Marguerite Lewis asked.

But other community members voiced support. One was Perry Crouch, who represents the Peace Network, an anti-gang organization.

“That land has been vacant for 40 years, and this company is going to bring in a state-of-the-art concrete plant,” he said. “It is going to bring good jobs to the community that we can give to our youth.”

Ultimately, Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, who represents the area, said the project would be safe because of a number of restrictions--large walls around the facility, a pledge to use low-emission trucks and elimination of a planned asphalt plant.

Supervisors gave the project unanimous approval.