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City Readies For Willets Point Facelift

One plan for the development of Willets Point.

By Ellen Thompson

The crumbling streets of Willets Point, home to more than 250 independent businesses, could soon be transformed into one of the most profitable plots of land Queens has ever seen in practically no time.

When Queens Borough President Helen Marshall began calling for the upheaval of the Iron Triangle’s auto-repair shops and junkyards so that they could be replaced by an act of eminent domain with more economically viable businesses, some nationally respected development organizations were listening.

Eight developers, including Forest City Ratner, Vornado Realty Trust, Westfield, Muss and the local TDC Corporation were chosen as finalists to redevelop the 75-acre Willets Point area by the New York City Economic Development Corporation this spring.

This is not the first time the city has stepped in to claim land used by businesses in the name of economic development. Radio Row in Lower Manhattan was destroyed, five streets were closed off and 164 buildings were demolished to make way for the World Trade Center.

The $2 billion to $3 billion effort to redevelop the 13-block area of Willets Point bordered by Corona and Flushing and known as the Iron Triangle is one step closer to breaking ground now that the EDC has culled through responses to a public Request For Proposals to develop the site. The city is looking to hire on consultants to help with the Environmental Impact Statements.

“Willets Point and the surrounding neighborhood presents challenging, but potentially highly rewarding, development opportunities,” said EDC President Andrew Alper when the finalists were chosen. “With the new Mets Stadium project moving forward, the area presents even greater development potential.”

The area to be developed is directly between Downtown Flushing, which is in the midst of massive redevelopment and growth, and the site of the new Mets stadium, scheduled to open in 2009.

The new Willets Point is expected to be a 1 million-square-foot retail dream. According to the City’s vision, a mini–Javits complex, with an exposition center, a hotel with at least 250 rooms, pedestrian walkways, open space and the beginnings of a brand-new neighborhood will be placed in what is now landfill and auto repair shops.

Early last month, finalists submitted the last round of proposals, which are expected to create “a regional destination,” promote “economic growth and additional private investment” and improve the quality of life for area residents, according to the EDC. The proposals included superior and sustainable architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment and some sensitivity to the natural landscape.

The city’s timetable calls for current businesses to start relocating in 2008, and, as in other development projects around the city, property owners at Willets Point could leave voluntarily or be forced out by eminent domain. Since the EDC is encouraging private development on the 75 acres, the EDC could not say to whom the land would belong after the project is put in place.

No completion date is set as of yet, but the economic possibilities along those crumbling streets could be endless.