Search for a developer is on for 75-acre Queens site.

New York City Economic Development Corporation issued a request for proposals for the redevelopment of the 75-acre Willets Point district in Queens.

The redevelopment of Willets Point and the surrounding northern Queens neighborhood is part of the Bloomberg administration's five-borough economic development strategy focused on revitalizing communities across the City. The RFP follows last summer's designation of a developer to build a $500 million project that will create a new town square in downtown Flushing, along with 500 residential units, 350,000 s/f of retail space, a hotel and a community center.

"This targeted RFP is another step forward in our efforts to transform the under-used, under-served Iron Triangle into a new regional destination with a vibrant mix of uses to enhance the area's assets, such as the communities of Flushing and Corona and the Flushing Bay waterfront," said EDC president Andrew M. Alper. "The high quality and enthusiasm of the responses we received to the RFEI clearly demonstrate the confidence of the development community in the potential of a new Willets Point."

The targeted RFP is being sent to a group of developers selected from the 13 proposals received in response to the request for expressions of interest issued in November 2004. The goal of the RFP is to select a development partner or partners to implement a viable, strategic redevelopment plan to be outlined in the upcoming environmental review and public review processes. Proposals should be sensitive to the area's existing natural environment and serve as a world-class example of superior urban design and sustainable development. Selection of the development partners will be made after the public review process is complete.

Over the past year, EDC has conducted environmental, engineering and soil studies, along with infrastructure analysis and site surveys of the area. In the next few months, the agency will select a consultant to prepare the environmental impact statement and will begin the public review process for the redevelopment effort.

The RFP is the next step in the implementation of the Downtown Flushing Development Framework that resulted from a year-long collaboration among local business leaders, community groups, City and State agencies and local elected officials. EDC has also met with the Willets Point Business Association and numerous Willets Point businesses, as well as the neighborhood community board. These outreach efforts will continue as the redevelopment process moves forward. In addition, a comprehensive Business Assistance and Workforce Development Program is being finalized to assist businesses and workers that may be affected by the redevelopment.

Responses to the RFP may include suggestions for redevelopment of the entire 75-acre site or a portion of the site. Proposals must include a clear rationale for the particular size and location of the development parcel. The Willets Point Peninsula is zoned for heavy industrial uses, but proposals that require rezoning will be considered.