Worker Retraining Program For Jobs In Redeveloped Willets Pt.
BY JOHN TOSCANO

Despite the continuing controversy between the Bloomberg mayoral administration and businessmen in Willets Point over the city's efforts to relocate them as part of a redevelopment plan, a city agency recently designated LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City to develop a program to retrain and place workers from the redevelopment site in future jobs.

The workforce development program is designed to support the approximately 1,300 people currently employed in various businesses in Willets Point.

The program, to be administered by the college Division of Adult and Continuing Education (ACE), will include English language classes, vocational assessment, job readiness skills, placement services and cash incentives for participation.

The college's network of public workforce systems and local community organizations will be utilized to provide culturally sensitive services to the Willets Point workforce during the 18-month program, which is scheduled to start in the fall of 2008. It is presently in the approval process, according to a release issued by the city Economic Development Corporation.

The program received the endorsement of Borough President Helen Marshall after it was announced. Marshall, a strong advocate of the Willets Point redevelopment plan, stated: "This is a kind of program that LaGuardia, under the leadership of President Gail Mellow, is more than qualified to undertake because of its experience in workforce development."

Marshall said the implementation of the program continues the momentum for Willets Point to transform itself into a new town center, while planning for the future employment and job training for workers currently on the site. "I have consistently stated that no redevelopment plan could move forward without a relocation and assistance plan for workers that includes training and support services," she added.

The workers are presently employed mostly in auto salvage firms that have occupied the 62-acre Willets Point site for more than 60 years. While many previous efforts to redevelop the Flushing site adjacent to Shea Stadium have failed, the Bloomberg administration has pressed forward with its plan despite strong opposition from the local business owners.

The EDC said recently that it is doing all it can to move the relocation plan forward, but a nucleus of property owners with title to much of the site have charged this is not true and have charged the EDC is footdragging as part of a plan to eventually acquire the site through court actions enforcing the city's rights under eminent domain.

As part of the effort to acquire the site, the EDC must go through the land use review and rezoning process which must eventually be approved by the City Council. EDC intends to start the process in February and complete it in seven months with the city council's approval of the plan.

Recently the EDC held a hearing before the council's Land Use Committee, chaired by Councilmember Melinda Katz (D- Forest Hills). The opposing sides traded charges at the session and before it concluded, Katz demanded that EDC place in the record documentation of every meeting it has held with property owners as part of its acquisition and relocation effort.

Meanwhile, the awarding of the workforce assistance plan to LaGuardia Community College was welcomed by the areas' council representative, Hiram Monserrate (D- Corona). The lawmaker has consistently demanded that the EDC insure local participation in the redevelopment program and assure new jobs for workers that are to be displaced.

Voicing his approval of LaGuardia Community College's participation in the plan, Monserrate said the college has a proven track record of preparing New York City residents, particularly those in Queens, for employment and helping place workers in growth professions.

"As the local representative of the Willets Point Triangle area, a major concern of mine is displacement of workers. This Workforce Assistance Plan is a positive first step in dealing with this issue," Monserrate said.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the Willets Point Master Plan last May. It calls for inclusion of affordable housing, office and retail space, new parks and playgrounds, a new public school, cultural and community uses and a state-of-the-art convention center and hotel.