NYC City Council Approves $3 Billion Development Plan in "Valley of Ashes" Next to Mets Stadium

Private group needs approval to demolish and build on its own property

A $3 billion plan to turn a blighted 23-acre "valley of ashes" next to the New York Mets' stadium into retail, hotel and residential space won city council approval Wednesday.

The New York City Council vote was the final step in a land use review process for the project in Queens' Willets Point neighborhood and allows the Queens Development Group to move forward. The group is a joint venture between Sterling Equities Inc. and Related Companies.