Posted on by Shannon Shark @metspolice

Willets Point Redevelopment Takes a Step Forward – NYTimes.com

…public officials, developers and other real estate specialists say about half a dozen companies are seeking the development rights for the first phase of the project.Among them are the Related Companies, the developer of the Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market, a shopping center in the South Bronx; Silverstein Properties, the developer of the World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan; and Macerich, the owner of the Queens Center mall in nearby Flushing, which teamed up with AvalonBay Communities, the developer of Avalon Riverview North, a luxury residential complex in Long Island City.

via Willets Point Redevelopment Takes a Step Forward – NYTimes.com.

7 Replies to “Willets Point Redevelopment Takes a Step Forward – NYTimes.com”

  1. I understand the wish for mixed use development but, given the proximity of Citi Field, wouldn’t the powers-that-be show more wisdom by trying to add more nightlife in the area instead of offices that would make the area a ghost town after working hours? Although I’ve nothing against offices per se, perhaps they could create a party zone filled with nightclubs and restaurants on the ground floor and housing on the floors above using Citi Field as an anchor/focal point and give the fans a reason to spend money in the area both before and after games.

  2. I wish no harm to the people working in Willets Point, but the Mets have spent the last 47 years in the blandest, (perhaps ugliest) and most non descript neighborhood in the most exciting city in the world. This was always as big a problem as Shea Stadium’s shortcomings. They dedicated so much energy and resources razing and building a new stadium. When completed, they had only given fans more options to buy $9 beers inside the stadium gates. Walk out of Fenway, Wrigley, even Petco Park, and you’re just feet from a number of great bars, shops and restaurants. You can make a day of it at these parks. I’ve been around most big league parks and only Tropicana Field and the whatever-the-Oakland-Coliseum-is-presently-called, rival Citi Field for the distinction of “most desolate surrounding area”. The effort to redevelop Willets Point is good news to anyone who doesn’t operate an auto wrecking yard.

    1. The points you make are absolutely valid and I wholeheartedly agree with what you are saying. The urban renewal they are doing is right on the water too. Willets Point should be akin to Wrigleyville (but with better scenery) with a vibrancy instead of a scrap heap. I’m willing to bet that the jobs created from such a switch would be more than that which are currently there (thus also producing greater tax revenue to all government entities concerned), providing win-win for all parties involved (unless, as afore mentioned, you’re in the auto wrecking business). Give the people a reason to visit Willets Point (and spend their money) besides Citi Field.

    2. Great points…of course it would benefit Met fans to have a nice developed area around the stadium. They tried it at the Meadowlands and it bombed. The Wilpons can’t afford to do it now. Why would anyone else tie their fortunes to this franchise in its current state? It would be a total ghost town in the winter. The Dodgers left town because they felt they couldn’t tap the suburban market. Shea was placed where it was to tap the LI market…it was a place to drive to and drive right home. Been that way for almost 50 years and I trying to change it now seems foolish in this economy.

  3. There’s some validity there, Steve, but a few very broad points:

    The Dodgers left in 1957. I’m not sure economic factors from the Eisenhower presidency really hold up more than half a century later.

    Speaking of the mid 20th century phenomena, the Mall in the suburban Jersey Swamps (American Dream/Xanadu project is still slated to open by the NY/NJ Super Bowl, by the way), may have more to do with the death of Malls in America than anything else. (Only 1 has opened in the USA since 2006). None of the sketches we’ve seen for Willets Point suggest this type of project.

    The developer wouldn’t be tying themselves to the fortunes of a franchise. They’d be tying themselves to 2.3 million consumers that spend money on that franchise under the most adverse conditions. (If things were to change on the field, that number would increase to over 3 million.) Everything we hear about the redevelopment plans indicate there will be housing involved. Increasing the population of the Iron Triangle (currently 1 person) should also help build the consumer base.

    This isn’t East Rutherford. New Jersey, or Uniondale, Long Island. This is still New York City, where communities constantly change and evolve, even in the outer boroughs. There’s no reason Willets Point can’t join the long list of redeveloped New York City neighborhoods.

    1. The economic factors of the post-Eisenhower era would be welcome now…5% unemployment, a growing middle class that could afford $20 for 4 field level seats in brand new Shea Stadium. What we have now is a middle class (the 90%) being hurt by too much debt and no wage growth in 10 years and those same seats today cost at least $500!! That’s why I personally would not invest my money in such a broad development project today. I’m also glad I don’t live in NYC and have to pay tax dollars for all the infrastructure needed. NJ is pouring 100s of millions to save Xanadu.

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