The city is trying to grease the engine of change in Willets Point.
The city Economic Development Corp. recently started offering a payout of one year’s rent if the auto body shop owners leave before Nov. 30.
A later move, between Dec. 1 and Jan. 31, yields half the payout, or six months rent. The money would come from $3.5 million in newly allocated funds, city officials said.
The offer, circulated in a letter to the businesses last week, invited them to an “informational meeting” on Wednesday in Corona — the same day the city Planning Commission is slated to vote on the proposed mega-mall that would be built on Citi Field’s parking lot.
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“We’ve been very clear and consistent on our outreach,” said a city official.
The offer, circulated in a letter to the businesses last week, invited them to an “informational meeting” on Wednesday in Corona — the same day the city Planning Commission is slated to vote on the proposed mega-mall that would be built on Citi Field’s parking lot.
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The offer, circulated in a letter to the businesses last week, invited them to an “informational meeting” on Wednesday in Corona — the same day the city Planning Commission is slated to vote on the proposed mega-mall that would be built on Citi Field’s parking lot.
The larger $3 billion redevelopment model for Willets Point — a host of uses including 2,500 residential units and commercial and retail space — was approved by the Council in 2008.
Meanwhile, City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras’ office was told by Cornerstone, the firm handling the relocation, that only one business has successfully moved out of the Iron Triangle.
The immigrant business owners have said they’d like move en masse, but finding a location that would make that possible has proven difficult.
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The businesses currently pay rent to the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development. If they were to move by the desired deadline, the city would pay their rent for 12 months. For example, the owner of a business that pays $2,000 per month would receive a $24,000 payout.
City officials confirmed that only one business has moved thus far, but said that two more are preparing their exit.
The immigrant business owners have said they’d like move en masse, but finding a location that would make that possible has proven difficult. Luis, Silva and two others, at a game of dominoes in Willets Point last winter.
SHAYOK MUKHOPADHYAY FOR DAILY NEWS
The immigrant business owners have said they’d like move en masse, but finding a location that would make that possible has proven difficult. Luis, Silva and two others, at a game of dominoes in Willets Point last winter.
Ferreras, who is currently on maternity leave and more than eight months pregnant, could not be reached for comment.
Advocates for the dozens of business owners said the payout is more of a “severance” package than a new lease on life.
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“We need substantially more just to stay afloat and to adequately compensate poor immigrant business owners that are being asked to move,” said Ted De Barbieri, a lawyer with the Urban Justice Center, who is representing the co-op of 60 Iron Triangle businessmen in their relocation push.
Marco Neira, president of that group, said rents elsewhere in Queens are astronomic compared to their current home.
Many locations charge upwards of $4,000 per month and ask for several months’ rent as a security deposit, which could easily wipe out the city’s payout, he said.
“What they promise in the letter is not enough for us,” he said.
City officials countered that the shopkeepers can pool their money to help cover the costs.
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