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A sixty acre peninsula at the base of Flushing Bay, Willets Point sits atop Corona, and points across the Flushing River toward the heart of Flushing. Used as an ash dump for much of the early 20th century, Willets Point was actually reclaimed marshland. Unfortunately, it never saw the same transformation that took place in the surrounding areas of Corona and Flushing.
Over the years, the Point has come to suffer from widespread contamination with petroleum products, solvents and automotive fluids. The pollution may well endanger surrounding bodies of water because of Willet Point's high water table. Because of the critical central location of Willets Point in northern Queens, however, its reclamation can mean a true renaissance for the borough, and can bring forth a residential, commercial and transportation hub of enormous value to area residents, businesses and the city of New York.
Such a recovery is now the plan of New York City's Economic Development Corporation, and supporting the development process is one important focus of the Flushing-Willets Point-Corona LDC.
The location of Willets Point is key to the importance of a redevelopment plan. The peninsula sits at the center of northern Queens between the bustling communities of Flushing and Corona. It stands just north of Flushing Meadows Corona Park, (with its recreational facilities and USTA Tennis Center), and is quite literally "across the street" from the new Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.
As importantly, this parcel of land is surrounded by major transportation resources, allowing ready access to the region by road, rail or the air. The proximity of the subway (#7 train), the Long Island Railroad, the highway system and LaGuardia Airport, will make travel into Willets Point for its development facile, and will, after project completion, provide for the full integration of Willets Point and its exciting resources into the rest of northern Queens and the greater New York community.
The first step in the plan to revitalize Willets Point will be to deal with the many environmental issues of concern. Contamination of the peninsula together with that of surrounding waters will be addressed, and the lands regraded to allow for the installation of modern infrastructure elements and the ultimate erection of buildings.
A modern and vibrant, mixed-use community is envisioned for Willets Point. Following upon the work of Mayor Bloomberg's Downtown Flushing Task Force, the city created the Willets Point Advisory Committee under the leadership of Queens borough President, Helen Marshall. That committee's plans have provided the outline for what is to come at Willets Point.
Thousands of housing units with be developed to serve people of various incomes. Parks and open space, as well as a new school will be created to answer the needs of the area's new residents and families. New retail and entertainment facilities are also planned, together with a high-quality hotel and New York's first, non-Manhattan convention center.
Of additional importance is the plan to make the entire redevelopment project for Willets Point meet the standards for certification by The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The use of green technologies in the provision of infrastructure and building of community structures will guarantee that the area enjoys a true rebirth into a more healthy and stable future.
Learn more by viewing the presentation given at Community Board #7.
Click on the first thumbnail image to begin and then use the controls at the top.
Great economic opportunities for the region will come along with the Willets Point project. It is estimated that the development will produce 10 years of construction jobs for 2500 workers and will also yield up to 5,000 permanent positions. The permanent jobs will be in a variety of areas including retail, restaurants, office work, education and hospitality. It is also predicted that the overall fiscal impact of the Willets Point development will reach more than 4.2 billion dollars over 30 years.
With this project, the city will also have the chance to incorporate sustainability goals from the outset. The process will begin with site cleanup, followed by planning and design, infrastructure development and finally building construction. The NYC Economic Development Corporation plans to integrate several sustainable technologies, including:
A wide variety of support mechanisms are being put in place to assist all individuals and businesses that may seek opportunities from the project, as well as those who might otherwise be adversely affected by pursuit of the plan.
A Task Force was created in 2007 to encourage participation by minority and women owned businesses, (M/WBEs). The Task Force is Chaired by borough President Marshall and includes people from the trades and organized labor, as well as minority/women advocacy groups. The Force will monitor the participation of M/WBEs throughout the development.
Assistance for existing Willets Point businesses and workers is also a very important part of the overall plan. A program for owner occupant businesses empowers the NYC Economic Development Corporation to assist occupant businesses in finding acceptable relocation sites for their companies. To help the employees of current area businesses take full advantage of the opportunities that development will bring, a Workforce Training and Assistance Program will be implemented by LaGuardia College in partnership with the Department of Small Business Services. Services of the program will include:
Below is a look at some history at Willets Point, as well as what the future may hold with redevelopment. Click the first thumbnail to begin a presentation of the past, the present, (and thanks to the skill of talented artists), the way a future Willets Point may come to look.
Timeline
The Mets' Citi Field
Five Willets Point Businesses Relocated to College Point Corporate Park
On April 29th, EDC reached an agreement with Queens Community Board 7 to relocate five Willets Point businesses to the College Point Corporate Park in return for ensuring that eight acres of the defunct Flushing Airport be preserved as public parkland.
LaGuardia Community College Program Attracting Participants
The Willets Point worker assistance program registered 114 workers at its March open house. The program will be assisting workers to obtain the education that can ensure their success in finding future employment.
City Council Approves Transfer of Willets Point Businesses
May 12, 2009
By a 46-3 vote, the City Council approved a new special district for the College Point Corporate Park along with further facilitating the transfer of five Willets Point businesses to the Corporate Park.
