The Dallas City Council has approved a $200,000 expenditure to hire a consultant who will assess the cost of potentially shutting down two industrial facilities—GAF in West Dallas and TAMKO in Joppa. The decision comes after years of requests from nearby residents, who have voiced concerns about the health and environmental impact of these plants.

Rising Concerns from Local Residents

Residents living near the two shingle factories have long pushed for their closure, citing health issues caused by pollution. Studies have highlighted alarming statistics, with West Dallas residents exposed to 11 times more air pollution than the rest of Dallas County, as well as significantly higher asthma rates. Joppa residents face similarly elevated levels of particulate matter.

At a City Council meeting on April 22, 2026, members discussed the issue at length, with council member Adam Bazaldua stressing that this initiative is just the first step in addressing the community’s concerns. “We have a community that has been advocating for themselves for years, and now we have the information we need to move forward,” Bazaldua said.

Industry Pushback

While community leaders have supported the move, companies like TAMKO and GAF have opposed the closure. Jennifer Oldvader, TAMKO’s chief compliance officer, emphasized that the company had made efforts to be a responsible neighbor. “We’ve worked hard to protect both our employees and the neighborhood,” she said after the vote.

GAF, which has been operating in West Dallas for over 80 years, had planned to cease operations by 2029. However, their plans are now uncertain after a rezoning petition was recently terminated due to inactivity.

The Amortization Process and Financial Impact

The $200,000 study is a part of the city’s exploration into using “amortization,” a tool that allows cities to compensate businesses to close facilities that negatively affect the community. However, this process has become more complicated due to recent state legislation. Senate Bill 929, passed in May 2023, mandates that cities compensate businesses affected by amortization. Activists estimate the cost of shutting down both plants could exceed $50 million.

Janie Cisneros, a local advocate for West Dallas, called the study a “step in the right direction” for the community. She and other activists have pushed for the city to set aside funds to cover the closure costs.

What’s Next for the City

The timeline for hiring the consultant is still unclear, but once the study is complete, the findings will be presented to the Council’s Committee on Government Efficiency for further discussion. This marks the beginning of a long-awaited process that could significantly impact the future of both shingle plants and the surrounding neighborhoods.

The community’s fight for cleaner air and safer living conditions continues as Dallas takes its next steps toward possibly closing these long-standing industrial facilities.