Elizabeth Street Garden Faces Uncertain Future as Zohran Mamdani Prepares for Mayoral Role

A beloved green space in the heart of Manhattan could soon face eviction as New York City prepares for a new administration. The Elizabeth Street Garden, a cherished community park in Nolita filled with sculptures, flowers, and art installations, may be at risk following Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory.

A Decade-Long Battle Over Space and Housing

For nearly ten years, the future of Elizabeth Street Garden (ESG) has been the subject of court battles and neighborhood debates. Supporters say the park offers a much-needed sanctuary in Lower Manhattan, while city officials argue the site is vital for creating affordable housing for formerly homeless seniors.

Earlier this year, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams and First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro struck a compromise to preserve the garden. They planned to pursue affordable housing at three alternate sites in Councilmember Christopher Marte’s district — a solution many called a “win-win.”

However, Mayor-elect Mamdani has signaled that he intends to revisit that decision. In a pre-election interview, he reaffirmed his commitment to building housing on the garden site, saying his position was “firm” despite disagreement from family members and activists.

Supporters Plead for Preservation

The small, sculpture-filled garden has drawn passionate support from across the city. Residents, local artists, and notable New Yorkers including Patti Smith, Robert De Niro, and Martin Scorsese have all voiced their desire to keep the park open.

“We’ve worked together for years to find a solution that preserves the garden while creating housing,” said Susan Wittenberg, a longtime SoHo resident and filmmaker. “This neighborhood finally reached a balance — green space and affordable homes. That’s always been our goal.”

More than one million letters were reportedly sent to City Hall urging the Adams administration to protect the garden.

The Developers and the City’s Plans

In June 2024, New York’s highest court ruled that the city could move forward with plans to transfer the property to three nonprofit developers: Pennrose, RiseBoro Community Partnership, and Habitat for Humanity.

Their proposal includes a 123-unit affordable housing complex for seniors, a public mini-park, and retail spaces designed to help fund affordability. Habitat for Humanity also planned to move its metro-area headquarters into part of the new commercial space.

However, community advocates argue that such construction would erase one of the city’s last green spaces in the area — a loss they say can’t be replaced by concrete courtyards.

The Road Ahead

Elizabeth Street Garden’s operators, who stopped paying rent in 2018, currently owe about $95,000 in back rent, according to court documents. Despite this, they remain committed to fighting for the park’s survival.

In an October 28 statement, the nonprofit managing the space vowed to “continue doing everything possible to protect Elizabeth Street Garden from anyone who seeks to destroy it.”

As Mamdani’s administration takes shape, the standoff between urban development and community preservation is expected to intensify. For now, the garden remains open — but its future hangs in the balance.