URGENT UPDATE: Developers behind the controversial Elizabeth Street Garden project in Nolita have filed a lawsuit against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, escalating the fight over the future of this beloved green space. The legal action comes after Adams declared the site parkland, effectively halting the proposed construction of a 123-unit affordable housing complex intended for low-income seniors.
The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, accusing the mayor of overstepping his authority by designating the lot as parkland “by fiat.” The developers, known as Haven Green, argue that this move is an “extraordinary act of executive overreach” aimed at terminating a “duly approved, shovel-ready affordable housing development.”
This conflict has been brewing for years, with the Adams administration previously planning to evict the garden to make way for the housing project. However, in June 2023, officials announced a new deal to construct affordable housing in nearby areas, shifting their stance on the garden’s fate. Just days after the recent general election, Adams declared the lot as parkland, which he stated would prevent future administrations from pursuing development on that site.
The lawsuit highlights that any new park must undergo the city’s land-use process, requiring approval from the City Council. “The Haven Green project is the product of an exhaustive public process and lawful governmental decision-making that has taken place for more than a decade,” the developers asserted in their statement.
Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani has previously indicated support for evicting the garden to allow the housing project to proceed. However, after Adams’ recent declaration, Mamdani remarked that it would be “nearly impossible” to build on parkland, as such developments require approval from the state Legislature.
The Elizabeth Street Garden has become a contentious battleground, pitting housing advocates against local residents who cherish the space. The group operating the garden expressed a willingness to collaborate with the new administration, emphasizing the garden’s “environmental, cultural, and artistic significance.”
First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro stated in June that over 600 units of affordable housing would advance in areas surrounding the garden, with the expectation that some new developments could break ground by the end of the year.
As this legal battle unfolds, the future of the Elizabeth Street Garden remains uncertain. The lawsuit’s outcome will significantly impact not only the housing crisis in New York City but also the preservation of one of the last green spaces in Lower Manhattan.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, as both sides prepare for what could be a pivotal court battle.
