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Eric Adams’ perverse plan to destroy the Elizabeth Street Garden for housing
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Eric Adams’ perverse plan to destroy the Elizabeth Street Garden for housing

Mayor Adams is moving full steam ahead with a tragically misguided plan to destroy a beloved community sculpture garden in Lower Manhattan to make way for a paltry 123 “affordable housing units.”

His team gave the Elizabeth Street Garden until Thursday to stroll.

Has Hizzoner lost all sense of perspective?

After all, what is the point of building 123 homes when it concerns residents of the region? entire community (and indeed the city) will lose a precious green space in an area where such idyllic locations are already scarce?

The garden has served as a vital neighborhood place to relax for decades and attracts 200,000 visitors every year.

It has hosted hundreds of free programs: poetry readings, musical performances, fashion shows, film screenings and more.

Thousands of people have sent letters and signed a petition demanding that Team Adams find another location for the homes.

Meanwhile, City Hall seems to be ignoring completely reasonable alternative sites.

Councilman Christopher Marte says he has worked with the garden’s managers to find new locations, but the city has so far declined to lift the eviction notice.

“This is our cultural center in Little Italy, and we don’t have the green space that others take for granted,” Marte advocates.

Yes, the city’s housing market is in a mess, but heavy-handed government is a major reason for that.

And Team Adams won’t solve the problem by tearing down parks and paving green spaces.

It goes against the spirit of the mayor’s ‘City of Yes’ initiatives, which are all about doing better, not robbing the city of existing gems.

We know you’re busy, Mr. Mayor, but take a few minutes to think about this again: saving this park will earn you a lot of goodwill.