29 Council Members Signal Opposition to Willets Point Plan

The first shot in the battle over Mayor Bloomberg's $3 billion plan to redevelop 61 acres of land in the Willets Point section of Queens was fired yesterday after 29 City Council members signed a letter to the deputy mayor for economic development, Robert Lieber, vowing to oppose the plan in its present form.

The letter, written by Council Member Hiram Monserrate, said the plan did not make enough concessions to workers and existing local businesses that would be affected and that it did not include enough permanent "affordable housing."

"As the plan currently stands, it has no chance of surviving the public review process. We urge you to come to the table and work with us," the letter said. Yesterday, Mr. Bloomberg said the city had initiated the seven-month uniform land use review procedure for Willets Point, the Hunters Point South Plan, and the rezoning plan for the Rockaway Peninsula.

"At Willets Point, our plan will transform what is now a highly contaminated area into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood, with new housing, parks and thousands of jobs," Mr. Bloomberg said in a statement.

The plan has drawn criticism for its possible use of eminent domain. Earlier this month, business owners around the Willets Point area filed a lawsuit against the city, accusing it of willingly neglecting the area to allow it to fall into disrepair.

"This plan would displace more than 250 businesses, which employ 1,711 workers. The plan provides no guarantees that the displaced workers and small businesses will be treated fairly or compensated with meaningful benefits to the surrounding communities such as housing affordable to the average family," the letter said. Mr. Bloomberg said the city's Economic Development Corporation is working with the local businesses to identify the sites necessary for relocation and is developing a workforce assistance program for the workers who will be affected.