Ben Weitsman of Ithaca to build new recycling, steel-service center near Ithaca

ITHACA, N.Y. — Ben Weitsman of Ithaca has announced plans to build a new, “multi-million” dollar scrap recycling and retail steel-service center near Ithaca.

The project would replace Weitsman’s new steel facility at 132 Cherry St. in Ithaca and a recycling operation across the street from it.

Ben Weitsman of Ithaca is part of Owego–based Upstate Shredding-Weitsman Recycling.

The company decided to pursue the project after discussions with a development group that had approached the company with interest in the Cherry Street location.

“We own the property at 132 Cherry Street where our new steel facility is located and lease the property across the road for our recycling operation. We have been a longtime resident of Ithaca and with all the great development going on here in the city, we decided to entertain offers from a development group that identified the location of the new steel facility as desirable due to its proximity to the water,” Adam Weitsman, CEO of Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling, said in a statement. “We will be building a brand new, state-of-the-art retail scrap yard and retail steel shop as one facility outside of the city limits. This will alleviate truck traffic inside of the city and allow continued development on the water and throughout the community.”

The location of the new Ben Weitsman of Ithaca operation has not yet been released, but officials have confirmed that it is outside of the city of Ithaca. The project will have new buildings, pavement, fencing, landscaping, and equipment.

The project will also include stormwater-runoff systems, a retention pond, and other environmental-quality safeguards, the company said. The change of property ownership will occur once the new facility is built and “move-in ready.”

The location outside of Ithaca will limit traffic inside the city and be “more convenient” for Weitsman trucks and customers visiting the scrap or new steel facility.

Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling describes itself as the East Coast’s largest privately held scrap-metal processor, operating 15 locations throughout New York and Pennsylvania.