Driving through the northern edge of Birmingham, you can’t really miss the industrial skeleton of Tarrant. It’s a place where the air used to taste like metal and money. For over a century, the ABC Coke plant was the heartbeat of this area. It wasn’t just a factory; it was a massive, smoke-belching engine that kept the local economy alive while simultaneously becoming one of the most controversial environmental flashpoints in Alabama history.
People have a lot of feelings about it. Some remember the steady paychecks that put kids through college. Others only think of the EPA warnings and the black dust on their windowsills.
ABC Coke Tarrant AL is a name that carries baggage. It’s owned by the Drummond Company, a powerhouse in the coal world. For decades, this facility took coal and baked it in massive ovens to create coke—a high-carbon fuel essential for making steel and iron. But in recent years, the story shifted from production to litigation. The plant officially shut down its coke production in 2024, marking the end of an era that was as productive as it was painful for the surrounding community.
The Reality of the Shutdown
It wasn't a sudden thing. You’ve probably seen the headlines about the "North Birmingham" environmental issues. Basically, the plant sat at the center of a massive Superfund site. The EPA had been sniffing around for years, worried about lead, arsenic, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soil.
When Drummond announced the closure, they cited "market conditions." That’s corporate speak for it being too expensive to keep running a century-old plant while fighting endless legal battles. They didn't just wake up one day and decide to stop. It was a slow squeeze. By the time the fires finally went out in the ovens, the plant was a shadow of its former self.
The closure left a hole. Tarrant relies heavily on the tax revenue from these big industrial players. When a giant like ABC Coke stops, the city budget feels it immediately. It’s a tough spot. You want clean air, but you also want paved roads and a funded police department.
Health, Soil, and the EPA Saga
Let’s talk about the dirt. If you live in Tarrant or Fairmont, the soil under your feet has been a topic of federal discussion for over a decade. The 35th Avenue Superfund site is the formal name.
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The EPA found that decades of emissions had settled into the neighborhood yards. We’re talking about stuff that shouldn't be where kids play. Drummond has always maintained they weren't the only source of pollution—and honestly, they’re right. That part of Birmingham was packed with industry for a hundred years. But as the biggest player left standing, they took the brunt of the heat.
There was a massive scandal. Remember the name Oliver Robinson? He was a state legislator who ended up going to prison because he was bribed to help the company fight the EPA's efforts to expand the Superfund site. It sounded like something out of a Grisham novel. A coal executive and a lawyer were also convicted. It was a mess that made local residents feel like their health was being traded for corporate profits.
What was actually in the air?
It wasn't just "smoke." Coke production involves heating coal to over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit without oxygen. This releases a cocktail of gases. The plant used a "by-product" process, meaning they captured some of those gases to sell as chemicals, but leaks—or "fugitive emissions"—were a constant problem.
- Benzene: A known carcinogen.
- Sulfur Dioxide: Hard on the lungs, especially for people with asthma.
- Particulate Matter: Tiny bits of soot that get deep into the respiratory system.
The Economic Aftermath in Tarrant
Tarrant is a small city. When you lose a taxpayer that represents a double-digit percentage of your revenue, things get weird. The city has had to look at serious budget tightening.
But it’s not all doom. The land itself is valuable because of the rail access and the infrastructure. There is talk about what comes next. Brownfield redevelopment is the buzzword here. It means cleaning up the site so it can be used for something else—maybe light manufacturing or logistics. But cleaning a coke plant is a nightmare. You can’t just mow the grass and build a Target. You have to scrape layers of contaminated earth away.
Drummond still has a presence in the area, but the "Coke" part of ABC Coke is effectively a memory. For the workers, some were offered transfers, but many just lost a way of life. These were high-paying jobs that didn't require a four-year degree. You don't find those easily anymore.
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Why This Matters Beyond Alabama
What happened with ABC Coke Tarrant AL is a microcosm of the "Rust Belt" transition happening across the South. We are seeing a pivot away from heavy, dirty industry toward cleaner tech. But that pivot is messy. It leaves people behind.
The environmental justice movement points to Tarrant as a primary example of how low-income, minority communities often bear the brunt of industrial pollution. The legal battles here have set precedents for how the EPA handles "atmospheric deposition"—the fancy term for pollution falling out of the sky into people's yards.
Navigating the Future of the Site
If you are looking at the area today, don't expect a park anytime soon. The decommissioning process is long.
First, they have to ensure the site is stable. Then comes the characterization—mapping out exactly where the toxins are. This involves thousands of soil samples. Only after that can they start the actual cleanup. It’s a process that will take years, if not a decade.
For the people living in the shadow of the old stacks, the air is undeniably better. You can smell the difference. But the economic anxiety is the new cloud hanging over the city. Tarrant has to reinvent itself, and that’s a lot harder than digging out a furnace.
Practical Steps for Local Residents and Stakeholders
If you live in the area or are looking to invest in Tarrant property, there are specific things you need to do to stay informed and safe.
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Check your soil status.
If your property is within the designated Superfund boundaries, ensure it has been tested by the EPA. If it hasn't, or if you are buying a home, demand the records of the soil remediation. Many yards have already had the top foot of soil replaced with clean dirt.
Monitor the Redevelopment Authority.
Tarrant has been working on a comprehensive plan to pivot away from heavy industry. Attend the city council meetings. They are currently discussing zoning changes that will determine if the old industrial land stays "heavy" or moves toward "light" industrial use, which is much cleaner.
Stay updated on the class-action settlements.
There have been multiple lawsuits regarding property values and health issues. While many deadlines have passed, new filings occasionally emerge as the full scope of the environmental impact is understood. Keep tabs on local legal notices in the Birmingham News.
Support local diversification.
The city is trying to attract smaller businesses to fill the tax gap. Supporting local shops in the Tarrant business district helps stabilize the economy while the big land-use issues are sorted out at the ABC Coke site.
The story of ABC Coke isn't over just because the ovens are cold. It’s just moving into a new, quieter, and arguably more complicated phase of reclamation and recovery.