Iron Triangle Redevelopment Still on Track
I have already started discussing how the Bloomberg's plan to redevelop Willets Point's Iron Triangle by Shea Stadium is facing opposition even with the benefits to the Flushing area. Any redevelopment will likely have an impact on a soccer-specific stadium for a NYC FC. The Queens Chronicle continues to report on the process of garnering support from the community and the City Council.
Even with the opposition, some positive steps are being made. The city has met with all of the land owners and offered relocation to city-owned properties in other boroughs. City officials have also offered to look into "suitable locations in the private real estate market". From the beginning, the city has offered to pay land owners a "competitive" price for their properties. LaGuardia Community College has been selected to offer a workforce assistance program for any displaced workers.
The project still calls for the construction of space for retail businesses, a convention center, a school, a hotel, office space, and thousands of apartments. The city predicts that 20,000 temporary construction jobs and 5,000-6,000 permanent positions will be added.
A new tidbit is that the city stands to make over $4 billion in property taxes over the next thirty years. Compare that to the $1.1 million a year that is currently raised in taxes.
A quick reminder of the area we are talking about:
On a side note, I also read a letter to the editor opposing the redevelopment plans. The writer said that eliminating the auto shops will be a hit for the middle class when they need to replace their cracked windshields. The problem that any "savings" made by the middle class is likely due to unsavory business practices, like selling stolen car parts, illegal dumping, and possible mob activity.
Besides, there are already other cheap auto shops in Queens. Come to Jamaica or Ozone Park and I will find you a good deal on some hubcaps.
Even with the opposition, some positive steps are being made. The city has met with all of the land owners and offered relocation to city-owned properties in other boroughs. City officials have also offered to look into "suitable locations in the private real estate market". From the beginning, the city has offered to pay land owners a "competitive" price for their properties. LaGuardia Community College has been selected to offer a workforce assistance program for any displaced workers.
The project still calls for the construction of space for retail businesses, a convention center, a school, a hotel, office space, and thousands of apartments. The city predicts that 20,000 temporary construction jobs and 5,000-6,000 permanent positions will be added.
A new tidbit is that the city stands to make over $4 billion in property taxes over the next thirty years. Compare that to the $1.1 million a year that is currently raised in taxes.
A quick reminder of the area we are talking about:
On a side note, I also read a letter to the editor opposing the redevelopment plans. The writer said that eliminating the auto shops will be a hit for the middle class when they need to replace their cracked windshields. The problem that any "savings" made by the middle class is likely due to unsavory business practices, like selling stolen car parts, illegal dumping, and possible mob activity.
Besides, there are already other cheap auto shops in Queens. Come to Jamaica or Ozone Park and I will find you a good deal on some hubcaps.
Labels: Bloomberg, Flushing, Iron Triangle, New York City, soccer-specific stadium
posted by Kubah at
10:08 AM
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