The Willets Point area has been neglected for years, where auto shops and similar services had made due with outdated and limited public utilities. But in another high end development make over plan that got underway a year ago, Mayor Bloomberg has sought to grab the land through eminent domain, with the hopes of converting it to high end hotels and a shopping district (the city seems impatient to let natural market forces work their effect). Long time business owners have been fighting a ongoing resistance, and today plan to shut down traffic around Shea Stadium just as the game is coming to an end... if the rain doesn't stop it first. The game got underway late today, and as of 1:45 they have only concluded the first inning.

From the Willets Point Industry and Realty Association:

Date: Monday, August 11, 2008
Location: 126th St. & 36th Ave. Willets Point
Time: 3:15 p.m. — Press Conference with Council Member Hiram Monserrate
3:30 p.m. — Truck Rally

The Willets Point Industry and Realty Association (WPIRA) the group of business owners who control more than 53% of the privately held land in Willets Point that the Bloomberg administration wants to seize, today announced plans for a demonstration outside the Mets game on Monday to make the public aware of the City's reckless plan to destroy thousands of jobs for working men and women by stealing their private property to help a politically-connected developer.

As part of the demonstration, trucks will carry banners informing Mets fans of the city's attempt to use eminent domain to take private property and turn it over to a politically-connected developer, destroying jobs in the process. Beginning at 3:30 p.m., about the time the Mets' afternoon game against the Pittsburgh Pirates is finishing, dozens of trucks from Willets Points businesses will begin to circle the stadium.