Scrap metal giant eyes Buffalo location

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Discarded scrap can turn into a big pile of money for businesses that recycle metal.

Now a southern tier metal recycling company is looking to invest $7 million in an old scrapyard in Buffalo's Black Rock-West Hertel section. The owners of Upstate Shredding are assuring city officials this will be a modern, state-of-the-art metal processing facility.

Kim Weitsman of Upstate Shredding said, "There is going to be lovely landscaping, a lot of green space, fenced in. We are not a parts place, so there is not going to be scraps sitting on site."

The location at Hertel Avenue and Military Road would be the 12th site for Upstate Shredding, which is based in Owego, and would take advantage of Buffalo's close proximity to Canada. Officials say there would be no shredding or car crushing.

James Tofte of Delta Engineers said, "Any hazardous chemicals, petroleum, parts removed. Cars are stacked, loaded onto specially-designed tractor trailers, and shipped to Owego, New York."

The scap metal is trucked off to the company's giant shredder at its home facility in Owego. Despite heavyweight backing from former County Executive-turned-lobbyist Joel Giambra and attorney Laurence Rubin, who also served in a top county office, Upstate Shredding does have to overcome a number of obstacles - like neighbors.

Margaret Szczepaniec of the West Hertel Association said, "You are going by at least 50-to-60 houses. How can anybody say you are not going through a neighborhood? I am not opposed to this project as it is laid out. What I am opposed to is the traffic."

Kim Weitsman has to take ownership of the facility, because her husband has a criminal record. Upstate Shredding is applying for a city scrap license. And by law, anyone convicted of a felony is automatically disqualified.

"But I have been in the business for 10 years. Work 50 hours a week, currently. I am there every day. So this is my baby, and I am going to head it up," she stated.

After Tuesday's Common Council briefing, Upstate Shredding goes before the City's Planning Board next month.