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Willets Point supporters file suit against city

The Associated Press

Elected Officials and Community Organizers held a march and rally protesting the enormous redevelopment plans for Willets point which sits adjacent to Shea Stadium and Citi Field. John Cho speaks out against the development in Willets Point. (Katya Pronin, Katya Pronin / April 8, 2008)

Business owners who oppose the city's plans to redevelop a 60-acre chunk of Queens next to the new Mets stadium filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday accusing the city of neglecting the area for more than 40 years.

The business owners claim that the city has failed to provide sewers, street lights and other basic services in the neighborhood known as Willets Point in order to depress property values.

"The city's negligent, reckless and willful refusal to provide this infrastructure creates not only an offensive nuisance but it also creates hazards that threaten the health, safety and livelihood of those who work in Willets Point," said Michael Gerrard, a lawyer for the Willets Point Industry and Realty Association.

The area, across the street from where Citi Field will open as the Mets' new ballpark next year, now consists mainly of auto body shops and junkyards. Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a plan last year to redevelop it into office buildings, shops, apartments and a convention center. The land would have to be purchased from the current property owners through negotiations or eminent domain.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn against Bloomberg and city commissioners in charge of sanitation, transportation and environmental protection. It seeks remediation and unspecified damages for past neglect.

The plaintiffs are 10 of the area's largest business and land owners, including House of Spices and several automotive businesses.

Janel Patterson, a spokeswoman for the city Economic Development Corp., said she could not comment on the lawsuit.

Patterson said city officials are "working closely with business owners and tenants to help them relocate, which will allow us to transform Willets Point into a mixed-use, safe, 24-hour-a-day community with affordable housing, a convention facility and commercial, retail and hotel space."