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A beloved New York City garden that celebrities like Robert De Niro rallied to save was served an eviction notice Wednesday – and it only has 14 days to leave its lush green lot decorated with sculptures.
“While we have been expecting the notice to be served, we are very disappointed that Mayor Eric Adams and Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer have refused to hold off on the eviction despite ongoing negotiations and thousands of letters from the public demanding they save the garden,” the garden’s leadership wrote in a Wednesday statement.
“Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer are well aware that they can hold off on any eviction in order to work with us on both the public and private site proposals,” the garden added. “At this point, they have chosen not to seriously consider a true win-win-win solution where there is no loss to the community.”
The garden and its supporters have waged a decade-long battle with the city over plans to demolish the 20,000-square-foot lot and build 123 units of affordable housing for seniors – which advocates argue could’ve been built anywhere else.
City officials, however, have long maintained that supporters have presented a “false choice” between public space and housing — and that the Haven Green plan would build a .15-acre green space.
Last month, Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese and Patti Smith penned letters to Adams urging him to have a change of heart and save the tranquil patch of grass. The New York City legends followed in the footsteps of more than 130 senior citizens and PS130 students who petitioned to keep the garden alive in August.
“Our great city is in danger of becoming a developer’s unchecked haven, and we look to you to help us set a lasting precedent for how New York City will protect public art and green spaces for the future,” Smith, 77, wrote in her Aug. 14 letter.
Senior citizens local to Nolita noted that many of them “rely heavily on the garden as the only real green space within walking distance in the district;” students at PS 130 consider the garden an extension of their classroom, the New York Times reported.
“It’s one of the only places you can sit and not spend money and see your community,” Patricia Squillari, 72, previously told The Post.
The garden offers nearly 200 free programs per year ranging from Tai Chi to yoga to live music to movie screenings — for now.
The spot could be replaced with retail and 11,200 square feet of office space, with Habitat for Humanity to serve as an anchor tenant.
The garden said it will continue to work with its legal team “to address the eviction” as the city heralded the Wednesday eviction notice.
“Far too many people, including older New Yorkers, struggle to find housing and afford rent – that’s why we fought for Haven Green and it’s why we’ll always fight to create affordable housing throughout all five boroughs,” New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Communications Director, Ilana Maier said in a statement.
“Today is a step forward for both affordable housing and community green space. Today is an optimistic day. And today we’re reaffirming our commitment to solving the homelessness and affordable housing crises even when it’s politically challenging.”
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