RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesLAUSD students set to return to class as concerns persist over smell near Lineage warehouse At a community press conference held Friday, teachers raised concerns about the impact the situation could have on students.
At a community press conference held Friday, teachers raised concerns about the impact the situation could have on students. BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is seeking to prevent Lineage from rebuilding its fire-damaged warehouse in Boyle Heights as cleanup efforts continue and community concerns persist over odors, pests and potential health impacts.
The development comes as the company faces fines related to unsanitary conditions and inadequate pest control, and as Los Angeles Unified School District prepares for the start of the new school year.
Cleanup efforts continued Saturday at the warehouse, where residents and business owners say odors from rotting food remain a problem weeks after the fire.
The news of Lineage's permit application to rebuild has frustrated some community members, who say they continue to deal with smells, flies, pests and rodents in the area.
"It's pretty much empty because of the smells," said Leo Miguel, co-founder of Yia Caffe in Boyle Heights. "We randomly smell it ... then it goes away."
Miguel said the coffee shop, which has entirely outdoor dining space, has been impacted because customers do not want to sit outside.
"Im still frustrated. I don't think it's getting better. If anything it's getting worse. A lot smoke on this side too, so smoke and now smell," Miguel said.
Bass issued an emergency executive order directing city departments not to process plans for Lineage to rebuild until the city and the public can analyze the area while considering impacts on health, safety and the environment.
The mayor also called the permit application a "slap in the face to the families."
Some residents said they believe the cleanup process is taking too long.
"You would think with resources L.A. has, it could be faster," said Victor Barillas, who practices softball in Boyle Heights. "To people who live here, it's an inconvenience to say the least."
Lineage defended its response in a statement released Saturday.
"We strongly disagree with the characterization of Lineage's cleanup efforts and transparency. We will continue cleaning up the site around the clock, providing daily reports to officials and regulators, posting frequent updates on our dedicated landing page and social media channel, and providing resources to the Boyle Heights community," the company said.
Concerns are also growing among educators as Los Angeles Unified students are set to return to class in less than two weeks.
At a community press conference held Friday, teachers raised concerns about the impact the situation could have on students.
"We closed our school year out with this, we're going to open our school year up with this," said Jennifer Marquez, a teacher and United Teachers Los Angeles member. "It is unfair, it is unjust ... this would not happen in other communities, but it's happening in East Los Angeles."
LAUSD said schools located near the warehouse received deep cleanings , air purifiers have been installed in every classroom, and air conditioning filters have been replaced. The district said the work focused on 54 schools within 3 miles of the Lineage warehouse.
As cleanup efforts continue, community members say they are hoping conditions improve and the impacts from the fire come to an end.
In the meantime, Lineage is being fined $2,000 per day for unsanitary conditions and inadequate pest control.
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