The New York City Economic Development Corporation has announced two separate Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for firms to provide construction management and design services for the Willets Point Offsite Infrastructure Project; a $150 million project that will connect the 62-acre development site to existing transportation, water and sewage facilities helping to link Willets Point to its surrounding neighborhoods such as Flushing and Corona.
NYCEDC’s determination of which firms or individuals are qualified to perform the required services will be based on various factors expressed in response to RFQs such as, demonstrated experience and expertise in similar projects and services; personnel composition, resources and experience, familiarity with public approvals, permitting and experience working with multiple city agencies.
Once selected, the construction manager and design teams will work with the developer providing services during the preconstruction, construction, and post construction phases of a project whose primary components include, the installation of storm and waste water systems such as a new sanitary pump station, force main and water reclamation facility, design upgrades to sewer and outfall on 126th street; design for new connection ramps between the Van Wyck Expressway and Willets Point, as well as design for additional bicycle and pedestrian paths, improvements to the Roosevelt Bridge and other area connections, and the potential design of new entrance and exit ramps.
The Willets Point Development Plan aims to transform the area known as the Iron Triangle, in which the city has acquired 61% of through negotiated agreements with landowners, into the city’s first ‘green’ neighborhood with 5,000 new housing units, parks, office space, retail, and a convention center and hotel, while creating 5,300 permanent jobs and 18,000 construction jobs.
Discussions with other landowners are ongoing and funding for a free training program through LaGuardia College for Willets Point workers currently underway has been provided by the city. Relocation assistance is also available to the area’s small businesses.
“The release today of these RFQs is another step forward in the journey to develop Willets Point,” said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall in a statement. “Offsite infrastructure will be integral as this project moves forward and incorporates itself in theoretical and practical ways with surrounding communities.”
Responses to the RFQs were due back May 8, 2009.
