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Bloomberg Breaks Ground On Willets Point Redevelopment

NEW YORK (WCBS 880/AP) - Mayor Michael Bloomberg has broken ground on the infrastructure phase of the redevelopment of the Willets Point area next to the Mets' home, Citi Field.

WCBS 880's Rich Lamb On The Story

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Bloomberg and other public officials officially kicked off the project Thursday. The mayor says the $50 million infrastructure project will pave the way for new building in the downtrodden, flood-prone area that has long suffered from a lack of drainage.

The work to expand sewer capacity in the area and improve water quality is expected to be finished in 2013.

The city is in the process of selecting a developer for the next phase of the project, which is to include up to 680,000 square feet of retail space and 400 homes on nearly 13 acres. Eventually, the city wants to rebuild 62 acres.

What's your idea for Willets Point? Sound off in the comments section below!

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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