By Cynthia Koons
The city Department of Transportation was scheduled to hold a news conference Thursday to present more detailed plans for its proposed asphalt plant in Willets Point in Flushing.
The asphalt plant proposal has been controversial since it was introduced last year because of its location in the so-called Iron Triangle between downtown Flushing and Shea Stadium. That region is earmarked for commercial and residential revitalization in Flushing’s master plans.
“Without assigning any of my judgment, I think it’s essential for the Department of Transportation to come out and brief the community directly,” Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) said.
The construction of the plant has been postponed for at least a year pending further review of the proposal.
“I am happy to see that the DOT will delay the plan for at least one year to allow for a more thorough review of the impact that this proposal will have on our community,” Liu said.
He said there is a lot of opposition to the plant being built in Willets Point because it would counter efforts to deindustrialize that part of Flushing.
In November, city officials said the plant would be located directly across from the Grace Industries plant on the Flushing River. The city currently buys asphalt from the Grace plant. By building an environmentally advanced plant, DOT officials said asphalt production would be cleaner and emissions would be lower in the region.
DOT officials said the new plant would incorporate more recycled materials in its production of asphalt and operate with stricter emissions than federal regulations dictate.
The property where the plant will be built at 32-11 Harper Street currently is used as a maintenance and repair site for the DOT. Community Board 7 approved the use of that site for a city asphalt plant at its November meeting.
The public meeting on the details surrounding the project will be held Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel at 135-20 39th Ave. in Flushing.
