48-acre site up for grabs in Queens.

New York City Economic Development Corporation issued a Request for Expressions of Interest last week for redevelopment of Willets Point, a 48-acre site in the heart of northern Queens.

The city is soliciting ideas as part of its comprehensive strategy to create a plan for the area that will leverage the district's excellent location and improve local connections between Downtown Flushing, Corona, Shea Stadium and Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

"This is the next step in our community planning process that began with Mayor Bloomberg establishing the Downtown Flushing Task Force last year," said EDC President Andrew M. Alper. "Creating a development plan for the Willets Point district is critical to successful implementation of the Downtown Flushing Development Framework that resulted from the year-long collaboration among Task Force members, city and state agencies and local elected officials. Soliciting input from the development community will help us to better understand the potential of this extraordinary location."

The redevelopment of Willets Point was a focus of discussions at all public workshops and community board meetings held in the last year regarding the development of Flushing. Private developers and the public agree that major improvement of the "Iron Triangle" is critical to the redevelopment of the entire area to make it a super-regional destination. The Willets Point Advisory Committee was formed from Task Force members to help craft the RFEI.

"Willets Point is a strategically important location accessible to highways, airports and mass transportation systems. This RFEI will result in ideas that could maximize the area's potential, while protecting and increasing employment in the cornerstone of economic development building in Queens County," said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.

The district is currently home to about 80 businesses, including many auto salvage and auto repair facilities and garages. Responses to the RFEI may include suggestions for redevelopment of the entire 48-acre site, or propose redevelopment of a portion of the site. Proposed plans must include a clear rationale for the particular size and location of the development parcel. The area is currently zoned heavy industrial uses.