Downtown Jonesboro scrap yard on the move

A metal scrap yard in the downtown area of Jonesboro will be on the move, and city officials hope to pass an ordinance that will prevent salvage and scrap yards from locating within the city’s limits.

Mayor Harold Perrin and Alter Trading Corp. Chief Administrative Officer Jack Grundfest have reached an agreement that over a period of years will move TRG Jonesboro’s scrap metal recycling yard from Flint Street downtown to a location in the eastern industrial area of the city.

Alter Trading Corp., doing business as TRG Jonesboro, has purchased the site of the former Jonesboro Recycling Team on Vance Drive and will start moving material and equipment from the eastern portion of its Flint Street yard and plans to eventually close the downtown site and relocate.

Perrin will submit an ordinance to the city council to prohibit any new junk, salvage or scrap yards in the city limits.

“They have an important business which has been located in Jonesboro since 1907, but it’s been in an unfortunate location in recent years for the redevelopment of downtown Jonesboro,” Perrin said. “I am grateful to Mr. Grundfest that he is understanding of our needs to grow quality of life downtown, and that Alter Trading Corp. has agreed to purchase property in a more suitable location.”

Perrin and Chief of Staff Mike Downing have been in negotiations with Grundfest throughout the year. Grundfest, of Little Rock, said his desire to partner with the city was “a product of his cordial and cooperative relationship with Mayor Perrin, our objective to support the communities where we operate, and to do what is best for all concerned.”