Adams administration makes final effort to halt the Elizabeth Street Garden housing project.

Mayor Eric Adams’ administration is navigating a contentious situation regarding the development of affordable housing on a city-owned plot in Manhattan, specifically the Elizabeth Street Garden, which has become a focal point of community debate. The city is currently considering a proposal from a coalition of developers, including Pennrose Properties, Habitat for Humanity, and RiseBoro, who were previously selected to construct Haven Green—a project intended to provide 123 affordable apartments for senior citizens at the site.

Initially, Adams showed strong support for the Haven Green initiative. However, his stance shifted notably after the appointment of Randy Mastro as the first deputy mayor. Mastro has aligned with opponents of the housing project, leading to a public reversal by Adams, who subsequently voiced opposition to the redevelopment of the Elizabeth Street Garden. Last month, this opposition was further solidified when Adams’ administration designated the garden as “parkland,” thus complicating any potential housing construction on the site.

This designation has triggered a legal response from the developers, who have filed a lawsuit accusing the administration of illegally obstructing affordable housing in favor of well-connected individuals opposed to the project. In a recent communication, Mastro outlined a potential alternative, proposing that the developers could pursue a similar project on a different city-owned site at 22 Suffolk St. However, the administration has stipulated that in order to proceed with this new location, the developers must drop their lawsuit regarding the Elizabeth Street Garden by noon on Adams’ last day in office.

Mastro emphasized that the arrangement would allow the developers to construct more affordable units at the Suffolk St. site compared to what was feasible at the Elizabeth Street Garden. However, the project would require a lengthy city land use approval process, which could delay any construction considerably. The Suffolk St. location had previously been designated for a new public school, highlighting the ongoing complexities in balancing community needs for education, green space, and affordable housing in Manhattan.

Opposition to the Elizabeth Street Garden redevelopment has garnered significant public support, including endorsements from celebrities. They argue that the project would pose a threat to a cherished green space in the city. Proponents of Haven Green, on the other hand, maintain that the development could coexist with the preservation of significant portions of the garden while addressing the pressing need for senior housing in a historically underserved area.

As Adams prepares to leave office, his successor, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, has signaled intentions to revisit the now-challenging prospect of reviving the Elizabeth St. Garden project. The recent designation of the garden as parkland has complicated Mamdani’s plans, making the restoration of the affordable housing project significantly more difficult.

In addition to addressing the immediate housing dispute, Adams’ office has formalized an agreement with the Elizabeth Street Garden’s operators. This agreement mandates that the nonprofit responsible for the garden will pay off a 0,000 rent arrearage over the next decade, while eliminating any future rent payments as the plot transitions under the oversight of the city Parks Department. Previously, the nonprofit bore a monthly rent of ,000, illustrating a significant shift in the financial responsibilities associated with the garden.

With these developments unfolding, the outcomes surrounding the Elizabeth Street Garden and the proposed affordable housing remain uncertain, reflecting broader tensions in urban policy and planning within New York City.