From Willets Point Boulevard in the Iron Triangle, a row of auto repair and scrap metal shops just east of Citifield in what is officially Corona, Queens. The area’s only resident lives on the second floor above the deli on the right.
The City has been trying to oust the scrap metal dealers for years, but they have held fast despite the City’s refusal to repave the streets or add sewers.
9 comments
We want to prettify all areas, and be sure that people watching a ballgame do not see messy businesses. We all want and need junkyards and used parts but cannot tolerate seeing them. The push by the city to take over this area is riduculous, and using eminent domain should be illegal.
You are right. The area is rough but to use Eminent Domain to acquire the properties is an abuse of the process.
There was recently an editorial in the Daily News saying that Willets Point should be given to smaller developers rather than Parkside Realty. Just like the Atlantic Yards, they think that it shouldn’t be given to one developer. However, I still think if this area was given the sidewalks and sewage that the taxpayer dollars those working there are paying for, the area would benefit itself. The truth is that this area was only made to blighted by the city government making it look that way to help promote what they want. Nevertheless, here is the editorial I am talking about.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/smaller-players-redevelop-willets-points-article-1.1082753
Chances are if your car was stolen in northern Queens it ended up here.
They may be trying to clean up the area but they are destroying neighborhoods that give the area the “flavor” that makes it “home” for the people.
Remember them?
Pretty,Rich people don’t need everything.
If anyone actually bothered to see what is inside these buildings, you will see that they are not abandoned at all. My guess is that either you have never seen it or probably work for Parkside Reality. Many of those in these places have been paying their taxes for decades, but are not getting any services despite that. If this place was given the sewers and sidewalks that their tax dollars pay for, the area would help itself. Why should only those that want to illegally take their land only be allowed the infrastructure, but not those who are there now? Once again, I would rather have my tax dollars go to help the public, not make another rich person get richer. Also, most of those people would have nowhere to go. BTW, many people looking for cheap parts actually come here even if they don’t live in the area especially due to the prices.
Heaven forbid that yuppies have to see ugly things. Must everything be sanitized for their protection? It’s funky “enclaves” like this that give NYC it’s flavor not to mention it’s soul!
The scrap dealers have really captured the area and that too so strongly. How do people manage to encroach upon the properties of others I just don’t understand!
History Lesson #1: Trust your government? Just ask the Indians.
Does anything ever change?
How much is enough?