Flushing's coming waterfront rebirth, plus court orders thorough environmental review of Willets Point

[We’ve republished this piece with an expansion of the original material and a wider view of the Flushing waterfront – take a look. -Ed.]

Image source: NY Daily News

The NY Daily News reports that the Manhattan Supreme Court halted a $3-billion plan to redevelop the Willets Point neighborhood until a thorough environmental review can be done of the area. The 62-acre Iron Triangle, located in the shadow of Citi Field, for some time has lacked basic city services like sewers or street repairs, and floods are common in the area after downpours.

To get an idea of what this part of Queens looks like, check out this video of the area in question, albeit seen through the lens of those that do not support the redevelopment of the area; here is a different video, the POV in support of the redevelopment. Photographer Nathan Kensinger also has a great set of photos of this part of Queens. A Google map satellite view will also give you an idea about the state the area is in.

Most of those in the NYC Metro area visit the Triangle for cheap auto parts and repairs, as well as other junkyard treasures. Mike Rikon, an attorney for Willets Point United, the group of businesses and land owners opposing the redevelopment plan, said that “You still have land that is contaminated, that doesn’t have any infrastructure. There are no sewers – sanitary or storm – in that area. So they would have an enormous undertaking.”

Contaminated storm water from the aforementioned flooding drains straight into Flushing Bay, and the nearby Flushing Creek is also teeming with waste. City officials agree that Flushing Bay is toxic, and believe it is the result of waste runoff from auto-repair work. The Economic Development Corporation plans to solve the runoff issue with new sanitary and storm sewer system as part of the redevelopment plan. It could help to improve the Bay’s water quality, at the least.

Additional revitalization of Flushing’s waterfront property includes about 60 acres of land east of the Flushing River (boundaries area Northern Boulevard – north; Roosevelt Avenue – south; Prince Street – east; Flushing River  -west) with hopes of a future bridge put in place to link this part of the Flushing waterfront with Willets Point. According to said Nick Roberts, project manager at Flushing Willets Point Corona Local Development Corporation (FWCLDC), “Downtown Flushing, or the Flushing waterfront rather, is an area of enormous untapped potential. We believe that revitalizing Flushing’s waterfront is the next crucial step to furthering Flushing’s status as one of the city’s greatest neighborhoods.”

The Willets Point redevelopment plan from developer Sterling Equities was revealed back in June, and drew some protest from the area’s businesses, many of which want to stay put. The next public hearing to discuss the future of Willets Point is scheduled for September 27th at 4pm, at P.S.19 in Corona.

Court orders city to do proper environmental review of Willets Point [NYDN]
Willets Point development plans unveiled [NYDN]