BREAKING: Developers behind a controversial affordable housing project have taken legal action against Mayor Eric Adams, asserting he unlawfully declared the Elizabeth Street Garden in Nolita as city parkland to halt their construction plans. The lawsuit, filed on October 25, 2023, by Haven Green, challenges the mayor’s authority to designate the site as parkland, arguing it undermines a legally approved project intended for low-income seniors.
The developers had planned to create a 123-unit residential building on the city-owned land, which is currently leased to the garden’s operators. This initiative was designed to address the pressing need for affordable housing. However, in a significant policy reversal, the Adams administration announced in June that they would not evict the garden, instead indicating plans to construct affordable housing in other locations.
The situation escalated after Adams officially labeled the lot as parkland shortly after the general election, a move described by Haven Green as “an extraordinary act of executive overreach.” They contend the mayor’s declaration was made without proper authority, as new parks must undergo the city’s land-use process and require City Council approval.
In a statement, Haven Green emphasized the lengthy public process that led to the project’s approval, stating, “The Haven Green project is the product of exhaustive public process and lawful governmental decision-making that has taken place for more than a decade.”
Meanwhile, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who previously supported the eviction of the garden, has now suggested that Adams’ designation of the site as parkland complicates the housing initiative. Mamdani noted it would be “nearly impossible” to proceed with construction due to the complex approval requirements for building on parkland.
As this legal battle unfolds, the garden’s advocates express a willingness to collaborate with the incoming administration to preserve the space, highlighting its “environmental, cultural, and artistic significance.”
The ongoing conflict has sparked passionate debate among Lower Manhattan residents, pitting housing advocates against those who advocate for the preservation of green spaces. In June, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro revealed plans to advance over 600 units of affordable housing in nearby areas, stating that groundbreaking could begin by the end of the year.
This urgent legal challenge raises significant questions about the future of the Elizabeth Street Garden and the balance between housing development and green space preservation in New York City. As the case develops, all eyes will be on the courtroom and the potential implications for housing policy in the city.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation evolves.
