Supporters say the project will create an estimated 20,000 temporary construction jobs and 5,000 longer-term positions, while sending more than $4 billion to the city over the next three decades, mostly in the form of revenues from property taxes.
   But now, many Willets Points business owners who stand to be displaced by such a massive redevelopment project are casting doubt on whether the plan is even sustainable amid projected economic troubles.
   “Is it wise to be shutting down a thriving business district when our economy is declining so quickly?” asked Terry Paterno, a spokeswoman for the Willets Point-based Paterno Construction Company at a town hall forum in East Elmhurst on Tuesday.
   “It’s no secret that our city and our borough are entering difficult times, and this project runs the risk of never happening ... (or) leaving behind vacant buildings.”
   However, city officials contend that even amid economic uncertainty, large-scale development projects will be needed to generate jobs and housing in the future to accommodate the projected one million new residents living in New York City — including 340,000 people in Queens — by 2030.
   “While the economy may be in a period of flux today, this project is critical to the ongoing and future growth of northeast Queens,” said Tom McKnight, EDC’s senior vice president, who is overseeing the Willets Point redevelopment project.
   “Queens is one of the fastest growing counties in the country ... and it’s critical that we continue to create residential and commercial opportunities.”
   Still, many of the affected owners insist the best way to sustain future growth is to support the existing businesses and upgrade the inadequate infrastructure, rather than supplant everything for a new community.
   “We don’t need a whole new neighborhood here,” said Jerry Antonacci, owner of the Crown Containers carting company.“We just need to fix the one that’s here.”