The court says Elizabeth Street Garden can stay open – for now

Victory was in the air for Elizabeth Street Garden advocates on Wednesday when a judge overturned an eviction order for Elizabeth Street Garden popular Green space in Lower Manhattan that the city wants to close.

The appeals court stood expulsion The Was served to Elizabeth Street Garden in SoHo on October 2nd. However, the stay is only temporary.

“TThe application can be returned on October 30, 2024.” Joseph Reiver, the Garden Managing Director, says am newYork Metro. “Yesterday, We notified Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), the corporate board of the City of New York And The city marshal of this court order.“

HPD plans to convert the one-acre garden into an affordable housing community for low-income seniors.

The garden has struggled to stay open for more than 11 years. It was planned until tomorrow, October 17th.

For more than 30 years, Elizabeth Street Garden has been a place of calm for New Yorkers. People of all ages visit the park for many reasons, including observing nature, taking a walk, or simply escaping the hustle and bustle of city life.

Neighbors, elected officials And Park visitors of all ages have campaigned for years to preserve the green spaces. Thousands of people have even sent letters to Mayor Eric Adams asking him to save the garden.

However, the city wants to close the garden to build housing for low-income people. Called “Haven Green” development, the complex is planned to have approximately 123 affordable housing units for seniors; 30% of these units will be allocated to formerly homeless seniors.

Meanwhile, Reiver is working with New York City Council member Christopher Marte to develop a proposal for a private site that they have called a “triple victory” for the garden, community And affordable Housing.

“WWe will continue to work with Councilman Marte on the private website proposal.” Reiver said. “The owners of two nearby properties are willing and ready to work to incorporate affordable units into new developments as an alternative to garden destruction. This solution provides more living space for those in need and preserves the garden without loss to the community.”

A spokesman for Marte previously announced this am newYork Metro The City The response was to cultivate the garden.

“But now There are a deal on the table they shouldn’t can refuse: we have We have identified private development sites so that we can transfer the funding and housing grants currently associated with them Garden If we destroy these sites instead, we can save the garden and build more affordable housing there there would be otherwise there is no one” said the speaker. “If the Adams administration really cares working class People who have an apartment must accept this deal.”