By Alex Robinson
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) has launched an online petition to bolster his efforts to stop developers from building a megamall at the former site of Shea Stadium.
The mall is part of a $3 billion redevelopment of Willets Point into a new neighborhood with commercial, retail and residential space. The project is being developed by the Queens Development Group, a joint venture between Sterling Equities and Related Co.
A group led by Avella slapped the city and the developers with a lawsuit in February challenging the legality of building the mall on land designated as parkland without the consent of the state Legislature.
The lawsuit was heard in court last week, with lawyers representing the developers arguing for the potential merits of the entire project.
“The Willets West project would rob the public and our community of much needed and valuable parkland,” Avella said. “This petition is an opportunity for citizens to let the city and its developers know that the community won’t stand for this shameful attempt to skirt the law.”
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
