Willets Point Development Project

SPR was retained by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to serve as environmental counsel for the preparation of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the City of New York’s proposed redevelopment of a 61 acre parcel in Willets Point Queens. The Willets Point project is a proposed redevelopment of an underutilized industrial area into a lively, mixed-use, sustainable community and regional destination. Besides the GEIS, the Firm assisted the City in other aspects of the proposed project, including hazardous waste remediation and environmental issues relating to the purchase of existing parcels within the project area and the parcels to be utilized to relocate existing businesses. The project, which required the rezoning of the area and adoption of an urban renewal plan, was approved in the Fall of 2008.
In 2017 SPR was retained by the Queens Development Group (a partnership of the Related Companies and Sterling Equities) to represent the project developer in connection with hazardous waste remediation pursuant to the Brownfield Cleanup Program. The project will transform an approximately 23 acre area with construction of New York City’s largest 100% affordable housing project in 40 years, a professional league soccer stadium, a public school, park and public open space amenities.