The Elizabeth Street Garden will not be converted into affordable housing, thanks to a deal between First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro and Councilmember Christopher Marte. Instead of the proposed 123 units for seniors, focus will shift to rezonings in Lower Manhattan that could unlock over 600 affordable units. This reversal follows years of opposition from local celebrities and advocates against the housing project, which was originally suggested in 2012. The garden has become a significant community space, with ongoing debates about its future and local housing needs.
According to Mastro, Marte agreed to instead support rezonings at three sites in his Lower Manhattan district that the city says would result in the creation of more than 600 units of affordable housing.
For those who haven't been following the saga of the Elizabeth Street Garden: In 2012, former City Councilmember Margaret Chin proposed that the site become affordable housing for seniors.
Mastro insisted he was just doing due diligence as he found his footing on the job, and the mayor's team made no eviction.
In the decade-plus since, celebrities from Patti Smith to Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese have fought against the affordable-housing plan.
#affordable-housing #elizabeth-street-garden #lower-manhattan #community-development #urban-planning
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