A lawsuit brought by two Alameda residents regarding a “historic parking lot” poses a threat to the Alameda Food Bank’s plans for a permanent facility that would serve thousands of clients facing food insecurity. The lawsuit claims that the unanimous approval from the city planning commission for the food bank’s project violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the Brown Act, which regulates local government meetings.

Teale Harden, the executive director of the food bank, expressed concern that the lawsuit could immediately halt construction. She noted that extended litigation would divert resources from their mission of feeding people. The plaintiffs, local business owner Tod Hickman and resident Shelby Sheehan, argue that the proposed 10,000-square-foot warehouse on a city-owned parking lot in the historic district would cause “irreversible damage” to the area’s historic resources and community.

Currently, the food bank operates out of Building 92, a former Naval Air Station hangar owned by the city. However, time is of the essence, as Harden pointed out that the city intends to sell Building 92, leaving the food bank in a precarious situation. Hickman and Sheehan believe the project will lead to significant degradation of the historic district and accuse the city of presenting misleading information about the environmental review process.

Harden emphasized the importance of establishing a permanent site that embodies the food bank’s commitment to treating clients with “dignity and respect.” Hickman, who has a history of suing the city over CEQA issues, suggested that the food bank would be better suited to a different location preserved for a “favorite developer.” The public response to the lawsuit intensified during a recent city council meeting, where hundreds showed up to support the food bank, indicating strong community backing for its mission.