New York City’s outgoing Mayor Eric Adams has officially designated the Elizabeth Street Garden as parkland, a move that could potentially thwart plans by Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani to develop affordable housing on the site. This decision comes after a long and contentious battle over the fate of the garden, which had faced eviction in order to make way for housing for low-income and LGBTQ+ seniors.
The garden, located in lower Manhattan, is home to several Neoclassical sculptures and a Gilded Age balustrade. Last October, the city had issued an eviction notice to clear the land for the construction of affordable housing units. However, following legal challenges and public outcry, the Adams administration decided to back down from its eviction plans earlier this year.
In a letter dated November 6, Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Louis Molina confirmed that the city has permanently dedicated the plot as parkland for public use. The management of the property will be transferred to the parks department upon completion of a licensing agreement with the housing authority.
While supporters of the garden hailed the city’s reversal as a victory, Mayor-Elect Mamdani had previously stated his intention to proceed with the eviction within his first year in office. However, bypassing the park designation to build housing would require approval from the New York State Legislature, making it a challenging task for Mamdani to pursue.
In response to Mayor Adams’s decision, Mamdani expressed frustration during a press conference, stating that the parkland designation would make it “nearly impossible” for him to move forward with his housing plans on the site. The Adams administration, on the other hand, sees this as a positive outcome, highlighting the creation of more affordable housing units at alternative sites in Manhattan.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on heritage stewardship, welcomed the designation of the Elizabeth Street Garden as parkland, likening it to other iconic green spaces in the city. The foundation’s President and CEO, Charles A. Birnbaum, emphasized the importance of preserving the garden as a valuable open space for the community.
As the debate over the future of the Elizabeth Street Garden continues, it remains to be seen how Mayor-Elect Mamdani will navigate the challenges posed by the parkland designation. The fate of the garden serves as a reminder of the ongoing tension between development and preservation in urban environments.
