Protest held opposing construction of cement plant, modern wharf in Vallejo

VALLEJO, Calif. (KGO) -- Residents from a neighborhood in Vallejo protested against plans to build a concrete plant on Wednesday.

It's supposed to take the place of the Old General Mills flour plant along the edge of Vallejo, not far from the Carquinez Bridge.

A demonstration was held at city hall opposing the redevelopment of the 100-year-old industrial landmark.

If a developer succeeds, the area will become a modern wharf and home to a cement factory. But four years after the proposal, it remains mired in red tape with fewer supporters than ever.

The opposition picked up after another endorsement came from the Solano Sierra Club.

They base their concerns on a draft environmental impact study showing increased air pollution from cement dust and the exhausts of hundreds of trucks using just one road through a neighborhood every day.

On paper, it is so bad that nearby resident Tamara Brandstater says she will sell her dream house and move, even at a loss. "Yes, we will definitely leave. We will not live with pollution in our backyard," she said.

But that is only one side of the story, according to project manager Matthew Fettig.

He says a new, scaled down plan for the project should mitigate concerns. Like his opponents, Fettig, is waiting for the city of Vallejo to release a new environmental impact study. "What I can tell you is that what was released in the draft report is significantly different than what the final EIR will indicate," he said. "We wanted this document out years ago. it is in our interest to get this information to the public as soon as possible."