"Because of this unlawful disturbance, we will conclude this press conference," said Claire Shulman, former Queens borough president, as chants drowned out the pro-development speeches in Washington Square Park.

Indoors, both sides vigorously made their cases in a Planning Commission hearing.

Supporters of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal say the 60-acre site near Shea Stadium is in disrepair and has major environmental problems. They want it rezoned to turn it into a 24-hour, year-round neighborhood with new housing, retail and cultural space.

“We've done a lot to try to make this a better place. Nobody would really pick it up and take it. Thank God for Mayor Bloomberg, he saw this as a site we could work on and improve," said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.

Those against the plan worry about a lack of affordable housing, getting fair market value for property sold to the city and the use of eminent domain to acquire the area.

"This is our property. It’s been in my family 75 years,” said Willets Point business owner Jake Bono. “And basically, the mayor and [Economic Development Corporation] are trying to rape and rob our land from us."

But Bloomberg said eminent domain will be used if necessary.

"We can't have a situation where one building owner sits there and sticks it to the whole city," said Bloomberg.

The Planning Commission will vote on the proposal at the end of September, and the City Council would then need to give final approval. However, 31 council members sent a letter to Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden threatening to block the Willets Point plan unless the city guarantees not to use eminent domain to obtain land.

The lawmakers are threatening to kill the plan, unless the city agrees that it will acquire the land through negotiation, rather than forcing landowners to sell by declaring eminent domain.

The council members are also calling for the addition of more affordable housing, a benefits package for the neighborhood, and a relocation plan for several hundred businesses.

“We are still open to have discussions, to see how we can resolve the unresolved issues. But, they have to be resolved,” said Democratic Queens Councilman Hiram Monserrate. “What’s the relocation plans for this area? There’s a lot of rhetoric, a plan that’s very big on promises and small on details."

This is one of the mayor's top development projects for his last 16 months in office, so there will be much bargaining over implementing the plan.