Construction begins on Staten Island waterfront cement terminal
Operators and politicians tout Elm Park facility as boon
Ground was broken yesterday on Elm Park’s industrial waterfront for what will be the state’s largest cement importation and distribution terminal, expected to generate 200 jobs here and inject $15 million into the local economy.
Staten Island Terminal LLC, in partnership with Cementos Lima of Peru, will create eco-friendly deep-water channels along Richmond Terrace within two years to permit cement from South America to be shipped to city construction sites rather than transported via truck routes, thereby reducing air pollution and road and bridge infrastructure burdens and congestion.
An estimated 800,000 metric tons of cement are expected to be delivered annually from the site to the ready-mix concrete market in the metropolitan area.
A bipartisan array of elected officials praised Staten Island Terminal president Richard Sabatini and Cementos Lima vice president Ricardo Rizo Patron for sticking with the 4-year-old project despite “bureaucratic red tape” that nearly derailed it.
State Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn), who with Borough President James Molinaro first trumpeted the project “when the economy was good,” said the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s “incredibly long permitting process” instituted “unnecessary impediments” that nearly had backers going elsewhere.
Patron said the terminal will be operational “by the time the economy picks up” and said he views the estimated $50 million investment as a “long-term business” venture.
“This is a true stimulus,” said Assemblyman Lou Tobacco (R-South Shore). “The jobs this creates will be permanent.”
Also on hand were Rep. Michael McMahon (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) and Assemblyman Matthew Titone (D-North Shore), as well as representatives of the governor’s office and the city’s Economic Development Corp.
By JUDY L. RANDALL
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
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