Iron Triangle
QUEENS, NY

    Across the street from the new baseball stadium that the New York Mets are building in the borough of Queens is an assemblage of Quonset huts, garages, and razor-wire topped yards of  automobile repair shops and salvage yards known as the Iron Triangle. The land, some 60 acres, is home to about 250 businesses that employ 1,200 people (according to a 2006 New York Times article). New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and others want to transform the area into a "retailing and entertainment district with a hotel and convention center" (more places for people to spend more money for activities and services that are already available elsewhere - how many shopping and entertainment districts does the New York City area need?). Proponents of redevelopment have decried not only the industrial nature of this area but also the rundown appearance and poor municipal infrastructure, while others point out that New York City has intentionally allowed the roads and utility services to fall into disrepair in order to declare the area "blighted" to drive out existing businesses so that redevelopment may occur. Presently, in addition to providing necessary services, the colorful signs and facades offer numerous photographic opportunities, and the mechanics who work at these shops are some very friendly people who are proud of their businesses and are eager to share their stories.