One Final Hearing for the Threatened Elizabeth Street Garden
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Residents of Little Italy are choosing sides between green space and affordable housing. It’s an unusual decision not often faced these days, but an outspoken group of residents has sided with the former. Community Board 2 will weigh in on the matter of Elizabeth Street Garden tonight.
As previously reported, the city-owned oasis of artifacts between Spring and Prince is under threat of development. Indeed, SPURA discussions in the neighboring jurisdiction identified this particular parcel as a perfect fit for offsite affordable housing.
However, critics are quick to point out that before the garden was even on the table as “threatened,” it was rarely open to the public. That the space was treated more like a private backyard for the adjacent gallery.
If development does befall this open land, it wouldn’t be too shocking. Plans for affordable housing have been considered for this through-lot since 1983, when the city apparently transferred the former school property to a private entity for its development. That obviously failed to transpire. Here we are thirty years later with no building and a one-of-a-kind community amenity.
Tonight is the final community hearing with the full board, 6pm Scholastic Auditorium on Broadway. Signs have been posted around the neighborhood all week.
More on the efforts of the Save Elizabeth Street Garden group…
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