Willets Point plan loses key supporter

A Queens City Council member has pulled his support for the city’s ambitious redevelopment plan for the Willets Point area at a crucial moment. Just before the city’s plan to transform the so-called Iron Triangle will go before community board hearings, Councilor Hiram Monserrate says he has withdrawn his support unless the city can guarantee the construction jobs will pay a “living wage” and enough affordable housing will be built. The city says the Willets Point project will create 5,000 permanent jobs and 20,000 construction jobs. The City Council must approve zoning changes before the massive mixed-use development can be built.