New York City is nearing an agreement to resolve a prolonged legal battle over the Elizabeth Street Garden, a popular community space in Nolita. The proposed settlement involves transferring a different city-owned property at 22 Suffolk Street to the developers, Pennrose, Habitat for Humanity, and Riseboro, as a replacement for the original plan to build affordable senior housing at the garden site.
Attorneys for the city and the development team are working toward an "amicable resolution" and recently received an extension to negotiate the terms. This potential deal aims to end a dispute that has spanned over a decade, during which the fate of the 20,000-square-foot garden has been a point of contention.
City Hall spokesperson Matt Rasuchenbauch confirmed that the deal would allow for the creation of "over 180 affordable homes at 22 Suffolk Street." He also stated that the city "will keep fighting to create more affordable homes, stronger neighborhoods, and public spaces that make New York the greatest city on earth."
The original proposal, first put forth in 2017 by the de Blasio administration, aimed to construct 123 units of low-income senior housing, along with offices for Habitat for Humanity, at the Elizabeth Street Garden location. This plan faced significant opposition from local residents and community groups, with notable figures like Robert De Niro and Patti Smith supporting efforts to preserve the garden.
Former Mayor Eric Adams' administration had previously pursued the housing development but shifted course in June of the previous year. Following negotiations involving City Council member Christopher Marte and First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, the city agreed to explore building 600 affordable units at three alternative locations, including 22 Suffolk Street, 156-166 Bowery, and 100 Gold Street. Marte indicated that this compromise would result in the largest influx of new affordable housing in over four decades. However, work has not yet commenced at these proposed sites.
Critics of the settlement, such as Annemarie Gray, Executive Director of Open New York, expressed concern that the resolution undoes a "badly needed and fully approved project for seniors." Gray added that "more than a decade has been lost" and that seniors who could have been housed have died while waiting, calling it a "deep injustice."