Eric Adams and Mamdani Dispute NYC Art Garden Plans

New York City’s outgoing Mayor Eric Adams has designated the Elizabeth Street Garden as parkland, complicating incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plans to build affordable housing on the site. The Department of Citywide Administrative Services clarified that the plot is dedicated to public use, transferring management to the parks department. Previously targeted for constructing 123 affordable housing units, the city now opts for 620 units across different locations. Mamdani’s proposal to evict the garden faces challenges, as housing construction would require New York State Legislature approval due to the new park designation, deemed nearly impractical by a city spokesperson. This decision is hailed as a community win, balancing garden preservation with alternative affordable housing development.