An effort to develop a 62-acre enclave of auto repair shops and cinder block sheds near Shea Stadium got a boost when Mayor Michael Bloomberg reached an agreement with local labor leaders to provide workers with union jobs and competitive wages in exchange for union support for the project. Under the proposed development the area in question would be razed to create a vast neighborhood of office buildings, hotels, parks, restaurants, retail shops and up to 5,500 apartments. Union support of the project is crucial due to labor's pull within the New York City Council, which must approve any zoning changes necessary to move ahead with the development.
See "City and Labor Leaders Reach Deal on Plan to Develop Willets Point", Charles V. Bagli, The New York Times, June 15, 2008