During a special City Council meeting on April 11, 2023, the Irvine City Council approved an agreement to purchase and decommission the All American Asphalt plant and create the Gateway Preserve, a nearly 700-acre open space preserve located in the hills above North Irvine.
Effective November 15, 2023, all production of asphalt at the All American Asphalt plant has ceased. The sale of All American Asphalt will close in early 2024, and the City of Irvine will take ownership of the plant and property. Soon thereafter, dismantling and remediation will commence, and the 11-acre asphalt plant site will be incorporated into the Gateway Preserve.
Once established, the Gateway Preserve will create a new hub for hiking, biking, and enjoyment of the outdoors, while also serving as an entry point – a gateway – to the vast 20,000-acre Northern Open Space Preserve. It will connect to Limestone Canyon, Black Star Canyon, and extend to the Cleveland National Forest. The location will serve a broad range of outdoor experiences for residents and visitors alike, as it sits adjacent to residential neighborhoods, the Native Seed Farm, and some of the region’s most productive avocado fields.
“I take pride in the City of Irvine’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and preserving our exceptional quality of life,” said Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “The creation of the Gateway Preserve is an incredible testament to what the City, in partnership with the community, can accomplish when goals and visions align. This monumental agreement is a remarkable achievement for our community and residents of North Irvine.”
All American Asphalt’s closure provides a resolution to the long-standing concerns of north Irvine residents regarding the pollution and potentially harmful impacts of the plant on nearby neighborhoods.