Candidate Name: Carlos Menchaca

Office Campaigning for: Mayor

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR POSITION ON THE ROLE OF PUBLIC GREEN SPACES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES.

I am a fierce champion of growing our public green space in every neighborhood. Our history in New York City shows the power of how neighborhoods, the people who live in community, can transform a vacant lot and create something that is create than the sum of its parts. Public green space has always been important for the vitality of any community, but after almost a year experiencing a pandemic in lockdown, our precious spaces are vital to the healing we need to experience. We need more public and green space, not less. We need to fund it, we need to protect it and we need to name it for what it is: a lifeline.

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR POSITION ON HOW THE CITY PRIORITIZES PUBLIC OPEN GREEN SPACE AND HOW COMMUNITY GARDENS ARE OFTEN PITTED AGAINST THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

We must protect and, where possible, grow our public open green space. Space is precious in New York City. Open space will always be coveted by development plans as we balance the needs of our city. As a two-term Council Member, I have seen our City agencies make decisions that don’t start with listening and learning from the community. In many cases, a decision that is made inside a room at City Hall, solves one problem then creates another. I believe that the City should truly engage communities so that a solution can be found to solve multiple problems like affordable housing and preserving public open space. It takes more time, but it leaves a wake of trust, relationship and create solutions. That is how I have governed in my district and that is how I will govern as Mayor, i.e. Industry City.

HAVE YOU EVER VISITED ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE.

I have. It’s magical. There’s always a breeze you can feel on the face and somehow the bustle of the city is muted. When you catch the sun on the trees and the beautiful flowers in the Spring, you are transported - there’s something about the light. I find the sculpture garden intriguing and well curated throughout the space. Everyone is always in a good mood and even if you don’t live near the garden, you feel like home. And because the space in nestled in middle of the urban concrete jungle with buildings at the edges, there’s an intimacy that you feel with the other garden lovers. It’s like, we all know the same secret.

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THE ALTERNATIVE SITE SOLUTION THAT WOULD USE 388 HUDSON — A GRAVEL- FILLED, CITY-OWNED LOT — TO PROVIDE UP TO 5X THE AMOUNT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ADDITIONAL PUBLIC OPEN SPACE WHILE SAVING ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN?

I’ve reviewed it and I support the alternative plan. I want to keep learning more about any hurdles to the alternative plan.

ESG CURRENTLY HAS A PENDING LAWSUIT TO SAVE THE GARDEN LED BY ATTORNEY NORMAN SIEGEL. IF THE ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED BEFORE THE CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATION, ONCE IN OFFICE, HOW WOULD YOU WORK WITH ESG TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN?

Yes I will. In fact, we should begin to move on this after the Primary election win in June to reset the tone at the agencies and with the developer.

IF ELECTED, WOULD YOU SUPPORT ESG'S PLAN TO SAVE THE GARDEN AS A CONSERVATION LAND TRUST? PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO REVIEW ESG'S FUTURE PLANS FOR SAVING THE GARDEN AS A CONSERVATION LAND TRUST, NYC PARK, OR GREENTHUMB GARDEN HERE: HTTPS://WWW.ELIZABETHSTREETGARDEN.COM/FUTURE

Yes

IF YOU ANSWERED "NO" TO THE ABOVE QUESTION, PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY.

N/A

IF ELECTED, WOULD YOU COMMIT TO SAVING ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN IN PERPETUITY?

Yes

IF YOU ANSWERED "NO" TO THE ABOVE QUESTION, PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY.

N/A