A steel company headquartered in Washington is looking to relocate and expand its operations in Marthasville. Ben Kandlbinder, vice president of Aberi Steel LLC, confirmed the business is considering constructing a building on approximately 6 acres of land it owns just west of Marthasville Lumber off Highway 47. The steel company currently has an office in Washington, but rents space across the United States to store its material, Kandlbinder said. The business began about five years ago. The Marthasville property was bought a couple of years ago. The company is looking to construct an 80-by-165-foot facility at the Marthasville location, city officials said. Aberi Steel's offices are located at 309 W. Fourth St. in Washington. The company currently employs four people but may add more if needed, Kandlbinder said. "We're ready to take that next step," Kandlbinder said. "We're excited. We've been building toward this." Kandlbinder declined to discuss the expansion more until the company closes on a loan for the building, scheduled for early next month. During a meeting April 13, the Marthasville Board of Aldermen failed to take action on a request presented by Dan Baker of Marthasville Lumber to have the city accept Commercial Drive. The 45-foot-wide concrete street is the lone entrance for the lumber company. It also would be the only access to the planned steel company. City attorney Chris Graville advised officials to not accept the request last week. He was concerned that since the street stopped at Aberi Steel's property and didn't have a cul-de-sac that fire trucks may be hindered if they needed to turn around. He also mentioned that if the city took over the street now, it would be the city's responsibility for maintenance. He noted that heavy commercial trucks entering and exiting could lead to immediate repairs. "You will be responsible to fix those potholes, making sure the road is repaired," Graville stated. "It's additional consideration when you look at it. I have concerns that it is going to be commercial with no emergency access." Baker told the board the street was built under commercial specifications around nine years ago. Other city officials didn't believe there would be any trouble with the weight of trucks using the street or turnaround access. "The construction won't be as heavy on it as the steel company," Alderman Leo Tobben said. Graville, however, did acknowledge the city is not required to take over the street. "They (aldermen) have the utmost discretion to decide yes or no," he said. City officials indicated they will revisit the request once more information is known on the steel company's plans and discuss the turnaround access with the fire department. "We need to find out what the other interests are," Alderman Keith Hagedorn said.