Willets Point Demolition Begins Next Weekend

Over the weekend, the New York Times published a long feature on the future of Willets Point. The Times reports that demolition for the first phase of the $3 billion project will start next weekend. The auto body shops, the owners of which have long fought the city’s development plans, will make way for a hotel, mega mall, and park. The article explains how Willets Point functions, profiling the characters who built up their lives in the area. Despite demolition for the first phase of the project scheduled on Saturday, the majority of shops continue business as usual. It’s possible the city will use eminent domain to clear more of the 62 aces of land.

Meanwhile, Willets Point business owners continue to fight the city’s relocation plan. In a rally held last week, Queens Crap reports that while the city is trying to buy out businesses (offering one year’s rent if they leave by the end of November), the city is not assisting with relocation. The business owners continue to ask for an extension before the city kicks them out.

The End of Willets Point [NY Times]
Earth to Julissa: Willets Point Businesses Are NOT Being Relocated [Queens Crap]

Photo by numb – Where do we go now?