For the third time in the last few years, a company is seeking permission to open a construction and demolition recycling plant in a historic part of Philadelphia.
The company, Philly-Wide Recycling Inc., run by former Laborer's Union official Daniel Pellicciotti, has already met with city officials about the project.
Neither the owner of the program, or neighboring community groups were invited to the meeting last month, and critics say they want to express opposition on the grounds that it would bring more traffic, noise and pollution to the area.
A spokeswoman for Mayor John F. Street said the city was evaluating the proposal and neighbors' concerns will be considered before any decision is made.
Pellicciotti said his operation would only recycle construction and demolition debris and not tires, as earlier companies had proposed. He also said he wanted to use a private rail line next to the site to cut down on truck traffic.
"We want to be a good neighbor and participate in developing that area," Pellicciotti said.
A proposal by Philadelphia Waste Services Inc. was rejected several years ago after community opposition. Another firm, Crusader Business Services Inc., expressed interest in the site late last year but never submitted a more detailed plan. Associated Press