RI Recycled Metals’ License Opposed By Morales and Neighbor Activists

RI Recycled Metals’ License Opposed By Morales and Neighbor Activists

 

Rhode Island State Representative David Morales and neighborhood activists have voiced their opposition to the license application by Rhode Island Recycled Metals.

 

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Morales, who is a candidate for Mayor of Providence, is calling on the Providence Board of Licenses to deny the company's application for a junk shop license, citing the facility’s history of fires, environmental concerns, and repeated safety violations that have put nearby communities at risk.

 

A series of GoLocal reports over the past four years unveiled the condition of the property.

 

 

“For years, our neighbors in South Providence have been forced to breathe the smoke, deal with the noise, and live with the risk that comes from a facility that has repeatedly failed to operate safely,” said Morales. “Enough is enough. Our communities should not be treated as dumping grounds for dangerous industrial operations.”

 

Morales said the Board of Licenses must consider the facility’s track record when deciding whether to grant RI Recycled Metals a junk shop license.

 

“A company that has repeatedly put our neighbors at risk should not be rewarded with another license to operate,” Morales said. “I urge the Board of Licenses to stand with our community and deny this application. All our communities deserve clean air, safe neighborhoods, and a city government willing to stand up to polluters.”

 

The Allens Avenue scrapyard has been the site of multiple fires in recent years, including a major blaze that took firefighters nearly eight hours to extinguish and sent thick black smoke across South Providence. Residents and environmental advocates have long warned about the dangers posed by the facility’s operations.

 

Following repeated safety concerns, a Rhode Island Superior Court judge previously ruled the scrapyard a “public nuisance” and ordered the facility temporarily shut down.

 

Linda Perri, President of The Washington Park Neighborhood Association, said, "I oppose any new license to operate a junk shop or anything else at RI Metals recycling along Allen’s Ave. They have severely damaged the land, water, and have current unresolved legal issues pending. I urge that this new license board deny any further expansion at RIRM of any commercial business  along the water, the dependent zone in which it is located.”

 

And, Monica Huertas, Founder of the People’s Port Authority, said, “For years, residents of South Providence and Washington Park have been forced to live with fires, toxic smoke, and constant safety risks coming from this facility. Our community should not have to keep paying the price for a company that has repeatedly shown it cannot operate safely. The Board of Licenses must deny this application and finally put the health and safety of residents first.”

 

GoLocal asked Mayor Brett Smiley’s office about the license. They did not respond at the time of publication. And, Rich Nicholson, attorney for the owners, was not reachable.

 

The Board is scheduled to meet on Thursday at Providence City