City agreed to increase affordable housing, but may still use eminent domain. On November 13, 2008, the City Council approved the City’s Willets Point Redevelopment Plan. The contentious plan, impacting a 62- acre area, designates Willets Point as an Urban Renewal Area, creates the Special Willets Point District, and lays out plans to develop a mix of uses, including 5,500 residential units, commercial space, a school, hotel and convention center, and publicly accessible open space. 5 CityLand 154 (Nov. 15, 2008).

At the Council’s October 17th hearing before its Planning, Dispositions & Concessions Subcommittee, Council Member John C. Liu questioned Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Leiber about the City’s plans to use eminent domain. Leiber responded that the City remained committed to negotiating with the remaining landowners, but would resort to eminent domain if necessary. Council Member Hiram Monserrate, whose district includes Willets Point, also raised concerns about the City’s plan to designate only 20 percent of the proposed 5,500 residential units as affordable housing. The vote was laid over until November 13th. (more…)

Willets Point, as envisioned by EDC. Image: EDC.

Eminent domain supported if negotiations with local businesses fail. On September 24, 2008, the City Planning Commission approved a modified version of the Willets Point Redevelopment Plan, and sent the contentious plan to the City Council. EDC’s plan calls for the creation of the Special Willets Point District, an Urban Renewal Area designation, and a rezoning for the 61-acre area known as the “Iron Triangle” in Queens. 5 CityLand 57 (May 15, 2008).

The plan has drawn criticism from local businesses and elected officials, and has led to the filing of at least one lawsuit against the City. At the June 13, 2007 City Council Land Use Committee and Economic Development Committee joint oversight hearing on EDC’s proposal, Land Use Chair Melinda Katz criticized EDC’s decision to begin the land use process before selecting a developer, while other Council Members questioned EDC’s plan to develop the entire site as opposed to a more stepped approach that would allow existing businesses to remain in the area. 4 CityLand 87 (July 15, 2007). (more…)

City seeks to create a Special Willets Point District; local businesses file lawsuit. On April 21, 2008, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development began public consideration for their proposal to rezone a 61-acre area in Willets Point.

The area, roughly bounded by the Van Wyck Expressway, Roosevelt Avenue, 126th Street, and Northern Boulevard, is known as the “Iron Triangle” for its predominantly industrial and auto service-related character. According to EDC, Willets Point is in desperate need of redevelopment and suffers from extensive environmental contamination, numerous building code violations, poor road and sidewalk conditions, and limited storm and sanitary sewer infrastructure. EDC’s proposal seeks to transform this area into a mixed-use district complete with residential, retail, hotel, convention center, entertainment, and commercial office uses. 4 CityLand 165 (Dec. 2007). (more…)

When Robert C. Lieber left the New York City Economic Development Corporation to replace Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg appointed Seth Pinsky to lead EDC through the end of the administration. As EDC President, Pinsky must now shepherd through such legacy projects as World Trade Center, Hudson Yards, Yankee Stadium, and Willets Point. Less than a month after his promotion, and with less than 700 days remaining in the Bloomberg Administration, Pinsky discussed with CityLand EDC’s goals and challenges.

Investment Banking and Big Law. As a sophomore in high school, Pinsky spent a summer working in the library of an investment bank founded by James Wolfensohn, who would later become President of the World Bank, and former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker. Pinsky moved to the City to attend Columbia University, where he graduated with a degree in Ancient History. Upon graduating from college, he returned to the bank as an analyst, focusing on mergers and acquisitions. Looking back, he sees his banking days as a detour— albeit a beneficial one for the financial skills he gained—from his longstanding goal of going to law school and working for the government. After two years at the bank, Pinsky left to attend Harvard Law School. (more…)

Concerns over eminent domain dominate hearing. On November 29, 2007, the City Council’s committees on Land Use and Economic Development held their second oversight hearing on New York City Economic Development Corporation’s proposal to redevelop 61 acres of Willets Point in Queens. The site, located directly east of Shea Stadium, largely consists of a range of auto-related, light industrial and manufacturing private businesses. EDC seeks to acquire the entire area and create an urban renewal plan for a new 8.9 million-square-foot mixed-use development. 4 CityLand 87 (July 15, 2007).

At the hearing, EDC President Robert Lieber testified that EDC is working with Willets Point businesses on a relocation plan by which the businesses would move to private property or City-owned or controlled property. Lieber also stated that some businesses have already agreed to relocate so long as EDC purchases similar industrial property on their behalf. Moreover, to address potential job losses, Lieber announced that EDC would work with LaGuardia Community College and run a workforce assistance program. (more…)