Much like “The Honeymooners” had the “chef of the future,” Queens will soon have “the Willets Point of the future.”
On Thursday, December 1, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and elected officials broke ground at Willets Point – kicking off the long-awaited project with the first phase – the creation of a $50 million sewer system.
With those first shovels full of dirt now come the creation of jobs – 350 reportedly – and, hopefully, a much-needed shot in the arm for the Queens economy.
For far too long Willets Point has been an eyesore – an infrastructure nightmare.
Now, when the first phase of the reconstruction project is completed, there will be 680,000-square-feet of retail space, 400 housing units, a hotel, parking and open space.
The additional stores will bring additional shoppers; the homes will bring residents.
All this will hopefully have a trickle-down effect, meaning existing Willets Point businesses, which Borough President Helen Marshall hopes to relocate, will grow, and additional businesses will spring up to meet the needs of the area’s bourgeoning population.
We eagerly look forward to a new Willets Point – and a bright future for Queens.
