Before Community Board (CB) 7 votes on the city’s plan for Willets Point on Monday, June 30, a CB 7 advisory committee is asking the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to agree to a number of terms including giving the board a final approval vote as well as earmarking significant funds for traffic and mitigation improvements.
“The board is still very concerned about having ongoing approval process of the project as it goes forward,” said CB 7 Land Use Chair Chuck Apelian.
CB 7’s advisory committee approved the plan on Monday, June 23, but it is unclear as to whether the full community will throw its support behind the plan next week.
“[The] EDC (Economic Development Corporation) is grateful to the committee for its careful deliberation and commitment to an open and fair public discussion,” said an EDC spokesperson. “We look forward to next week’s full board vote and are hopeful that this important development plan will continue to earn support through the approval process.”
The city hopes to develop the land known as the Iron Triangle into a $3 billion project that includes more than 1 million square feet of retail shops and restaurants, 500,000 square feet of office space, 5,500 units of housing, a school, hotel and convention center.
However, nearly 250 businesses and landowners that currently occupy the area do not want to vacate their land and claim the city has not negotiated with them in good faith. The city maintains that they would only use eminent domain - acquiring the property to use for the public good - as a last resort.
The Community Board is the first group to express its opinion in the Uniformed Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). The Borough President and City Planning Commission will also review the plans prior to submission to the City Council and mayor.
Log onto qns.com on Tuesday morning to find out how Community Board 7 voted.
Willets Point showdown set for 6/30
By Pete Davis
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