The plan to construct an affordable housing complex at Manhattan’s Elizabeth Street Garden has faced a significant setback as First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro intervened to pause the redevelopment efforts.
This unexpected halt comes as a result of pressure from a coalition of high-profile celebrities, including Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese, who have enlisted the help of politically connected lawyers to fight against the project.
After taking office as Mayor Eric Adams’ top deputy on April 2, Mastro ordered a comprehensive review of the housing plans, previously championed by Adams’ administration for years.
Initially, the city anticipated evicting the nonprofit organization that operates the garden as early as late March to make way for the new housing.
However, the political landscape shifted with Mastro’s appointment, as he had strong ties to attorneys Frank Carone and Norman Siegel, both of whom have been involved in efforts to block the garden’s redevelopment.
Over the past year, Carone and Siegel collaborated with a group of prominent figures, including De Niro, Scorsese, and Patti Smith, to express their opposition to the project.
Their campaign gained traction following Mastro’s ascension to a position where he now has influence over the matter.
Carone, a close associate of Adams and former chief of staff at City Hall, has been supportive of the garden’s advocates, while Siegel has represented the nonprofit organization managing the garden in legal battles against redevelopment efforts.
Mastro’s involvement with Carone and Siegel raises questions about the integrity of the process—especially since Adams, who is friends with both lawyers, has expressed continued support for the housing initiative, which aims to provide 123 rent-restricted units for senior citizens.
Adam’s spokesperson defended Mastro by stating there has been no change to the original plan, asserting that the administration would proceed with the project “at the appropriate time.”
Despite this, sources indicate Mastro’s directive to halt the project came in response to requests from Siegel, who suggested alternative locations for the proposed housing.
Mastro confirmed he is reviewing the project details and is aware of suggestions to construct the housing at different sites, emphasizing that any changes must lead to increased affordable housing throughout New York City.
Under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, efforts to convert parts of the garden into senior housing began in 2017, with the intention of preserving some green space.
However, the project has been embroiled in legal disputes as the garden’s operators have consistently resisted giving up the land, highlighting the challenges of addressing the housing crisis in a city constrained by soaring rents and limited availability of apartments.
The conflict over the Elizabeth Street Garden has intensified due to the advocacy from celebrities, who have actively campaigned against the redevelopment.
Letters urging reconsideration were sent to Adams last summer, reflecting the hope of those within the garden’s supporter community that the mayor would align with their cause.
Carone’s engagement in the garden issue began when he was approached for assistance by figures like De Niro and Scorsese, who were distressed about the loss of the beloved green space.
Sources revealed that Carone has provided strategic counsel pro bono to these celebrity advocates for at least a year.
After resigning from Adams’ chief of staff position in late 2022, Carone has transitioned to leading the mayor’s reelection campaign and running a lobbying firm while still maintaining connections with the garden supporters.
Siegel has long represented Elizabeth Street Garden, Inc., actively pursuing legal remedies to halt the redevelopment initiative.
After Mastro’s appointment, he reached out to discuss the opposition of his clients to the housing project, further intertwining the threads of influence and advocacy that shape this conflict.
Despite conflicting reports, a spokesperson for Adams maintains that Mastro has not changed the fundamental approach to the garden redevelopment.
They asserted that its advancement will proceed once the timing is deemed appropriate, reiterating a commitment to addressing the housing shortage experienced across the city.
Carone has published a statement indicating his view that keeping the garden intact may be the better choice if similar housing opportunities can be realized elsewhere that do not infringe on green space.
Siegel did not respond to requests for comments, nor did representatives for De Niro, Scorsese, or producer Jane Rosenthal, who have voiced concerns about the project.
Proponents of the redevelopment suggest that relocating the housing would entail a new land use process, which could further delay an already protracted project amidst a worsening housing crisis.
Mayor Adams has refrained from publicly discussing the garden project for several months but had previously voiced support for moving forward with the housing initiative during discussions about alternate locations.
The situation at Elizabeth Street Garden reflects deeper struggles within New York City to balance the demands of development and preservation amidst a growing housing crisis that continues to impact vulnerable populations.
As the tensions surrounding the project mount, the future of the Elizabeth Street Garden hangs in the balance, caught between celebrity advocacy, political influence, and the pressing need for affordable housing.
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