City issues Willets Point RFP

New York City Economic Development Corp. submitted a Request for Proposals for the first phase of development of Willets Point today, and wants developers’ submissions, due Aug. 12, to include a concept plan for the entire 62-acre area. In Phase 1, the city wants to turn the 12.7-acre parcel located next to Citi Field, into a mixed-use, green neighborhood that will bring some 4,600 construction jobs and 1,800 permanent jobs to the area. Phase 1 is slated to include 680,000 square feet of retail space, 400 housing units, two acres of open space and parking. “Selecting a developer will put us one step closer to realizing the goal that the community created, leaders across Queens have envisioned for decades, and a project that the City Council overwhelmingly approved: making Willets Point New York City’s next great neighborhood,” said Seth Pinsky, EDC’s president. The city was approved to use eminent domain procedures to acquire Willets Point land but has stuck to negotiating with the owners instead (note: correction appended). It’s also been feuding with residents in recent months regarding the construction of new highway ramps to connect the neighborhood to the Van Wyck Expressway. TRD