Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has incurred the wrath of NYC gardening fans by saying he’d reverse Mayor Adams’ determination to save lots of decrease Manhattan’s Elizabeth Avenue Backyard from being transformed into inexpensive housing.
After briefly laughing, Mamdani answered, “Yes.”
A progressive like Mamdani may sometimes be anticipated to search out sturdy assist among the many typically liberal crowd that backs the backyard.
However his place has turned some towards him.
“Perpetuating the false hope of housing vs. community gardens is a divisive tactic weaponized against communities across NYC. … We will continue to do everything we can to protect Elizabeth Street Garden from anyone who seeks to destroy it,” the publish stated.
Barry Williams/New York Each day Information
Patti Smith performs in assist of the Elizabeth Avenue Backyard on April 1, 2025. (Barry Williams/ New York Each day Information)
“You have lost my vote,” declared one commenter.
“The laugh is a terrible dismissal,” the Downtown environmental group Earth Celebrations posted. “It shows his ignorance to not see the big picture to protect healthy wellbeing of communities which requires balancing green open space and community cultivated gardens that serve a myriad of direct vital needs within the city and urban solutions to the climate crisis.”
Magali Regis, a board member of the New York Metropolis Neighborhood Gardens Coalition, representing an estimated 20,000 Huge Apple gardeners, admitted she was thrown for a loop by Mamdani’s assertion — to the purpose she now plans to “sit out” this election.
“It would have been a no-brainer: ‘Let’s vote for this young, energetic candidate who wants to get rid of the status quo,’” Regis stated. “People are really unhappy and there are a lot of people calling Mamdani and saying, ‘Keep off the garden.’”
She stated the Elizabeth Avenue Backyard holds a particular significance, calling it “the poster child of community gardens in New York.”
Mamdani has to date declined to reply NYCCGC’s mayoral questionnaire, which features a query on whether or not to save lots of or develop the Little Italy backyard, she stated, including that Cuomo and Sliwa have each informed the group they’d save the backyard.
Some Mamdani-supporting gardeners are saying on-line they aren’t abandoning him, however hope they will persuade the hardline leftist to alter his place if he’s elected.
A Mamdani spokesperson didn’t reply to requests for remark.
Zohran Mamdani campaigns in Brooklyn on Thursday. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Each day Information)
Mamdani’s opponents in Tuesday’s basic election, impartial mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, each strongly assist saving the backyard.
“I am committed to saving this precious garden and to delivering affordable housing — not by destroying what’s beautiful, but by building smarter and better.”
For his half, Sliwa informed The Village Solar a yr in the past that he would get arrested to save lots of the beloved backyard, if it got here to that.
“All the hipsters and millennials love that spot,” Sliwa stated. “The old-timers, they love it. It’s so tranquil. It’s a mood elevator, just sitting there.”
Barry Williams for New York Each day Information
The Elizabeth Avenue Backyard in Manhattan. (Barry Williams for New York Each day Information)
The Little Italy inexperienced area, between Spring and Prince Sts., has been the middle of a heated battle — marked by lawsuits — pitting the Downtown Manhattan group and backyard advocates versus Metropolis Corridor ever for the reason that plot was designated for an inexpensive senior housing venture a dozen years in the past.
The venture seemed to be shifting ahead earlier this yr. However in a shocking reversal, Adams in June modified metropolis coverage and scrapped the senior housing venture, Haven Inexperienced, slated for the backyard.
As a substitute, working with native Councilmember Christopher Marte, the administration recognized three close by websites the place a complete of greater than 1,000 items of housing can be constructed, with 623 of these slated for completely inexpensive housing — contrasting with Haven Inexperienced’s a lot smaller quantity of inexpensive housing, which might not be everlasting.
Marte didn’t reply to requests for remark.
