New York City Economic Development Corp. (NYCEDC) released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify developers for the first stage of the Willets Point District. The entire 62-acre district is proposed to become one of the city's first "Green" communities, with housing, retail, community space and other uses. NYCEDC will issue one or more Targeted Requests for Proposals (RFP) to selected firms responding to this RFQ. Additionally, the city continues to be successful in its commitment to acquire privately-owned property in Willets Point by negotiated acquisition, recently acquiring three additional parcels from private owners in Willets Point totaling 65,480 s/f. "We have now succeeded in reaching fair, negotiated agreements with Willets Point land owners accounting for the majority of privately-held property in the district. We expect to continue make progress in the coming weeks." said NYCEDC president Seth Pinsky. "These recent acquisitions and the release of this RFQ are indicative of the progress we are making in our efforts to transform the blighted Willets Point peninsula into an attractive community where thousands of New Yorkers will want to live, work and visit." "The release of this Request for Qualifications once again moves the Willets Point project, one of the largest in our borough's history, another step forward and closer to reality," said borough president Helen Marshall. "Each step forward gives us a clearer vision of a plan that will redevelop Willets Point in way that will capitalize on the resources surrounding it, including recreational uses and a network of highways, while strengthening the entire region. The redevelopment of Willets Point will also provide construction and permanent jobs that will broaden our city's tax base and create a much improved, greener environment for a new generation of residents and businesses." The acquisition agreements NYCEDC are with Best Future Land, LLC for 37,500 s/f of property, Dolly Bengigi for 16,000 s/f, and Zak Plaza LLC, for 11,980 s/f. To date, the city has reached acquisition agreements with about 20 land owners, accounting for about 70% of the privately-held property in the First Development Area. The city is contemplating moving forward with a staged development strategy for Willets Point that will first focus on the southwest portion of the District that includes approximately 18 acres of development area and streets and about four acres of an interim buffer zone. The maximum development for this area includes 980,000 s/f of destination and entertainment retail; 2,000 units of mixed income housing; 500,000 square feet of office space; 400 hotel rooms; a school; and open space and parking. The RFQ requires respondents to demonstrate their understanding of the Willets Point project; their expertise in developing similar large-scale, multi-use projects; experience with public/private initiatives; and other criteria to determine eligibility to receive future RFPs. RFP release is expected in 2010. Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) are encouraged to respond. The successful RFP respondent must comply with all requirements of NYCEDC's M/WBE Program. For a copy of the RFQ, please visit www.nycedc.com/rfp. Responses are due no later than 4 p.m. on December 7.