New York City's Mayor Eric Adams has made a last-ditch effort to preserve the Elizabeth Street Garden, a beloved green space in Manhattan's Nolita neighborhood, by officially designating it as city parkland. The move, announced in a November 3 letter from Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Louis Molina, is expected to complicate Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's plans for affordable housing on the site.
The decision comes after Adams initially supported a proposal to build 123 apartments for seniors at the garden but reversed his stance over the summer. Mamdani had vowed to evict the garden in his first year of office, citing its potential as a site for new affordable housing.
However, with the latest move, the city's Department of Citywide Administrative Services has taken control of the property, making it permanent public parkland. The designation requires approval from the state legislature through an alienation process, which could prolong any future development plans.
The Elizabeth Street Garden has been a subject of debate for years, with its supporters – including celebrities like Robert De Niro and Patti Smith – arguing that it provides a unique oasis in the heart of downtown. Meanwhile, opponents have pushed to preserve the garden as a green space.
As of now, Habitat for Humanity, one of the nonprofit housing developers involved in the stalled project, was unaware of the latest move and expressed surprise at the news. The future of the Elizabeth Street Garden remains uncertain, but its designation as city parkland seems to ensure that it will remain a public space for the foreseeable future.
The decision comes after Adams initially supported a proposal to build 123 apartments for seniors at the garden but reversed his stance over the summer. Mamdani had vowed to evict the garden in his first year of office, citing its potential as a site for new affordable housing.
However, with the latest move, the city's Department of Citywide Administrative Services has taken control of the property, making it permanent public parkland. The designation requires approval from the state legislature through an alienation process, which could prolong any future development plans.
The Elizabeth Street Garden has been a subject of debate for years, with its supporters – including celebrities like Robert De Niro and Patti Smith – arguing that it provides a unique oasis in the heart of downtown. Meanwhile, opponents have pushed to preserve the garden as a green space.
As of now, Habitat for Humanity, one of the nonprofit housing developers involved in the stalled project, was unaware of the latest move and expressed surprise at the news. The future of the Elizabeth Street Garden remains uncertain, but its designation as city parkland seems to ensure that it will remain a public space for the foreseeable future.
. This whole thing is just a classic case of politicians backing down from a deal that benefits the powerful developers in Nolita. I mean, who needs affordable housing when you can have a fancy park? The fact that it's now official city parkland just means that whoever gets control of it next will be able to charge exorbitant rates for picnickers and selfie-takers 
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. I mean, I get why some people love the garden and all, but can't we just have a little bit of progress around here? 123 apartments for seniors would've been nice too...
... I mean, I get that cities gotta make tough decisions and all, but can't we just find a way to balance progress with preserving our awesome green spaces? 
The Elizabeth Street Garden has been a NYC staple for ages, and it's crazy to think that it could've been lost forever. 
I'm glad Mayor Adams stepped in to save the day, even if it means complicating things for the new mayor 
. What do you guys think? Should we be prioritizing affordable housing or our beloved parks? 
I mean, come on, it's not like the people of Nolita are gonna be all sad and stuff just because a little community garden gets torn down. Can't they see that's what happens in life - you gotta make way for progress! 
It's not like there are thousands of people waiting for a place to live in Nolita. And great job, Mayor Adams, taking control of the property without even consulting with anyone involved in the original plan. That shows some real leadership skills 
. One minute they're all for affordable housing, the next they're preserving some random garden in Nolita 
. What's really going on here is that some special interest groups are having a say in who gets to decide what happens to the property 
I'm not buying it (pun intended) 
. This just smells like a delay tactic to me 
. The real winners here are the politicians who get to claim they're fighting for affordable housing, while actually doing nothing 
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... I mean i get it, the garden's cute and stuff, but come on, priorities ppl! 
It's not just about preserving a pretty garden, it's about keeping the heart of Nolita neighborhood alive and vibrant 
. All these years, people were debating whether to save or destroy it, but now it's official - Elizabeth Street Garden is here to stay! 
And I gotta say, I'm loving the fact that it'll be under city parkland management 
. Now we can all enjoy this little oasis in the middle of Manhattan without worrying about it being torn down 
. Kudos to Mayor Adams for taking a stand and saving this NYC gem! 
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and I gotta say, i'm totally down with that 
It's such an important green space in the heart of Manhattan, and it's crazy to think about how much debate there was over whether to turn it into a housing site. I mean, 123 apartments for seniors sounds like a pretty great use of the land, but at least the garden is getting some protection now. 
. Now let's hope the state legislature doesn't mess with this decision and that we can enjoy the garden in all its glory for years to come 
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and i love how mayor adams finally took action on this issue it's about time we prioritize the people over profits 
. Zohran Mamdani should've known better than to mess with the locals and the garden is more than just a green space, it's a piece of history 
! I mean, can you imagine what NYC would be like without that lush oasis in Nolita? It's not just about preserving a green space, it's about keeping some magic alive in the city. The fact that Adams is stepping up to save it is awesome news for anyone who loves nature and community spaces 
. Of course, this means Mamdani's affordable housing plans are on hold, but I think we can all agree that this garden is way more valuable than any number of apartments