UPDATE: A legal battle erupts as developers behind the controversial affordable housing project at the Elizabeth Street Garden in Nolita file a lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams, claiming he overstepped his authority by designating the site as city parkland. This urgent development occurred on November 1, 2023, and raises new questions about the future of the 123-unit residential building intended for low-income seniors.
The group, Haven Green, has been planning this project for years, but the Adams administration shifted gears earlier this year. In June, officials announced a deal to build affordable housing elsewhere, but just days after the general election, Adams took decisive action by declaring the garden a protected green space, effectively halting construction plans. This declaration has drawn sharp criticism from the developers, who argue it constitutes “an extraordinary act of executive overreach” aimed at undermining a project that is “duly approved and shovel-ready.”
The lawsuit states that any new park designation should undergo the city’s land-use process and gain 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 group emphasized in a statement.
Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani has previously expressed intentions to move forward with the eviction of the garden. However, after Adams’ recent designation, Mamdani stated it would now be “nearly impossible” to proceed with the housing project without state legislative approval, complicating the situation further.
Representatives for Adams did not respond to requests for comment on this urgent matter. The Elizabeth Street Garden’s advocates are now expressing a willingness to collaborate with the new administration to protect the beloved space, highlighting its “environmental, cultural, and artistic significance.”
“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,” a spokesperson for the garden stated.
The longstanding debate over the future of Elizabeth Street Garden has pitted housing advocates against local residents who wish to see the garden preserved. Earlier in the year, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro announced plans to advance over 600 units of affordable housing in nearby areas, with hopes that developers could break ground on new projects by the end of the year.
As this legal battle unfolds, the implications for both affordable housing and green spaces in Lower Manhattan are critical. The situation is developing rapidly, and residents are closely watching how the courts will respond to this challenge. Key decisions are expected in the coming weeks, making this an urgent issue for all stakeholders involved.
