Shocking fate that lies in store for beautiful Manhattan public garden that’s oasis of tranquility from the city, with local residents left outraged
A beautiful public building in the heart of New York City will soon be razed to make way for affordable senior housing.
Located in the famous Nolita neighborhood, the Elizabeth Street Garden is a volunteer-run community sculpture space that hosts a variety of events, including yoga classes, poetry readings, and outdoor film screenings.
Dylan, an eight-year-old New Yorker, described the space this way: “Everyone spent time planting that garden, and it’s fresh air. When they take fresh air away, they take years away from you.
“I hope it stays because it’s free fresh air – you don’t have to buy it,” the young child told the New York Times.
Located in the city’s famed Nolita neighborhood, the Elizabeth Street Garden is a volunteer-run community sculpture space that hosts events open to the public, including yoga classes, poetry readings, and outdoor film screenings.
But on June 18, the New York State Court of Appeals, by a 6-1 majority, ordered the city to proceed with the garden’s destruction.
Despite the controversial ruling, Joseph Reiver, the garden’s director, has vowed to continue the fight.
“Our efforts to save Elizabeth Street Garden are far from over,” he told Artnet.
“We have already appealed the deportation decision and our legal team is working on other options.”
Proponents also have a proposal to Mayor Eric Adams – requesting that the homes be built on a plot of land at 388 Hudson Street instead of demolishing the garden.
On June 18, the New York State Court of Appeals ordered the city to proceed with the garden’s destruction, in a 6-1 ruling
Supporters have also submitted a motion to Mayor Eric Adams asking him to build the homes on a plot of land at 388 Hudson Street instead of demolishing the garden.
The manifesto also states that popular New York spots such as Thai Diner, Ruby’s, Jack’s Wife Freda, Plantshed and Eileen’s Cheesecake have expressed support for the proposal.
The fate of Elizabeth Street Garden has been up in the air since 2019, when the City Council first approved plans to use the site to build affordable senior housing.
Jenny Rivera, daughter of Allan Reiver, the man who created the green oasis, said after the verdict: “The garden is a work of art in itself.”
In 1991, Allan, owner of a nearby antique shop, began leasing the land from the city for $4,000 a month and began the garden project.
The well-meaning entrepreneur planted trees, a lawn and garden beds, and filled the area with neoclassical stone sculptures and architectural relics from his gallery, notably marble columns and sphinxes.
The manifesto also claims that popular New York spots such as Thai Diner, Ruby’s, Jack’s Wife Freda, Plantshed and Eileen’s Cheesecake have expressed support for the proposal.
Supporters of the Elizabeth Street Garden have also launched a donation page to help them continue their efforts to save the beloved space
If the site is demolished, a private developer plans to convert it into a mixed-use building called Haven Green.
The building will include retail space and 123 affordable studios for seniors.
The developer also wants to reserve housing for people from the LGBTQ community, formerly homeless people and current residents of the neighborhood.
Supporters of the Elizabeth Street Garden have also launched an initiative donation page to help them continue their efforts to save this beloved place.