D-day for Willets Point in Council

The long-awaited redevelopment of Willets Point looks like it could finally become a reality.
The 51 Councilmembers will determine the fate of the city’s ambitious plans for the roughly 60-acre Willets Point redevelopment project on Thursday, November 13, and a number of 11th hour developments have all the signs pointing to the Council approving the mayor’s plan.
After more than a year of negotiating with the current property owners and presenting to the local community groups, the city hopes that the Council will approve the massive rezoning plan that would bring 1 million square feet of retail shops and restaurants, 500,000 square feet of office space, 5,500 units of housing and a convention center to the site.
On Wednesday, November 12, Queens City Councilmember Hiram Monserrate, who has been the most vocal opponent to the project, stood with Mayor Michael Bloomberg to announce an agreement that increased the affordable housing quotient included in the plan to 35 percent – a significant increase from the 20 percent the city had previously proposed. In addition, a number of units in that 35 percent will be set aside for low-income residents.
Meanwhile, just two days before the hearing, the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) reached an agreement with Feinstein Ironworks – one of the most recognizable businesses in Willets Point – on an agreement to relocate the business to another part of the borough.
“Along with the seven acquisitions announced Sunday and those that preceded them, we are making significant progress towards transforming the blighted Iron Triangle into New York City’s next great neighborhood,” said NYCEDC President Seth Pinsky.
The acquisition of Feinstein and the other seven properties, which are contingent on the City Council approving the plan, give the city control of 47 percent of the entire site. The amount of land the city controls could have a significant impact at the City Council hearings, because a number of Councilmembers have expressed trepidation about allowing the use of eminent domain in order to acquire the property.
The city is expected to actively continue negotiations with the other property throughout the day and night on Wednesday. Two Willets Point businesses – Bono Sawdust Supply Co. and Crown Container – are not negotiating with the city.
“I’m telling you right now, Bloomberg, the EDC, they are not going to be the ones to dictate me off my land,” said Jake Bono, the third generation owner of Bono Sawdust Supply Co. in Willets Point.
Bono said that even if the City Council approves the rezoning, that he and a number of other property owners will take the matter to court to fight what he believes is an injustice.
“They are going to have to prove to a judge why I should lose my property after 75 years,” Bono said. “The only shovel that is going in the ground on my land is by someone with the name Bono.”
In addition to Willets Point, the City Council will also vote on a proposal for Hunters Point South – the city’s plan to transform vacant waterfront property in Queens into 5,000 units of housing, 60 percent of which will be reserved for moderate-and middle-income residents.