UPDATE: The fierce battle over the future of the Elizabeth Street Garden escalated on Wednesday as developers from Haven Green filed a lawsuit against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The lawsuit claims that Adams unlawfully declared the site as city parkland, effectively halting their plans for a 123-unit affordable housing project intended for low-income seniors.
The controversy began when the Adams administration pivoted from plans to evict the garden to designate the lot as parkland, a move made shortly after the general election. This decision, announced last week, aims to prevent any future administration from proceeding with construction on the site, which is located in Nolita.
According to the lawsuit, the developers argue that the mayor’s declaration is an “extraordinary act of executive overreach” executed without proper authority. They assert that any establishment of a new park must go through the city’s land-use process, requiring approval from the City Council. The lawsuit states, “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.”
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who previously indicated plans to proceed with the garden’s eviction, now faces a significant hurdle. After Adams’ parkland designation, Mamdani stated that it would be “nearly impossible” to construct the housing project, as major developments on parkland necessitate state legislative approval.
Representatives for Mayor Adams did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication. However, the group behind the Elizabeth Street Garden expressed willingness to collaborate with the incoming Mamdani administration to preserve the garden space, highlighting its “environmental, cultural, and artistic significance.”
In a statement, the garden group criticized the lawsuit, stating, “Today’s lawsuit by the Haven Green development team is a misguided attempt to overturn a lawful and long-overdue action by the City of New York to protect one of the last remaining green spaces in our neighborhood.”
The ongoing debate over the Elizabeth Street Garden has divided community members, with housing advocates pushing for increased affordable housing options while local residents fight to maintain the garden’s existence. First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro previously confirmed that a deal was made in June to advance over 600 units of affordable housing in nearby areas, with expectations for construction to begin by the end of the year.
As this legal battle unfolds, the implications for both housing development and community green spaces remain critical. The next steps will depend on the outcome of this lawsuit and the decisions made by the incoming administration. Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.
