Candidate Name: Elizabeth Caputo

Office Campaigning for: Manhattan Borough President

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

Public green spaces are an essential part of our community. They make urban communities more livable, increase biodiversity, reduce air and noise pollution, and bring us together as New Yorkers. I have been very fortunate as an Upper West Side resident here for 25 years - where we have access to Central, Riverside, and Morningside Parks all within our neighborhood. Other parts of Manhattan don’t have this same access to parks, and it’s why I want to do everything possible preserve open space in places like Elizabeth Street Garden and the broader Little Italy and Chinatown neighborhoods. These green spaces make NYC unique, and are critical especially for local seniors who can’t take a 15-20 minute walk to the nearest park, and local school children who need a place for recreation. As many are learning for the first time in this pandemic but others have known all along, public green spaces are an integral community resource.

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.

Our city has a climate crisis and an affordable housing crisis, and our current City Council members have not been thinking ahead to forge solutions - to do what is best for the neighborhood and for the City. We need to, as a borough, focus on creative ways to build, and I would oppose projects that lead to the destruction of green space in Manhattan. There is enough space in Manhattan for both affordable housing and green space to coexist. I support changes to zoning laws that would allow the conversion of office space into apartments, creating affordable housing from underused building stock in areas already highly connected to public resources like parks and transportation. I do not support massive concessions being given to private real estate developers for space on community gardens and on public land.

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

Yes, and I am a frequent visitor to the Little Italy area - so am aware of the urgent need for green space and preserving parks in this part of Manhattan.

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 would be open to exploring alternatives, yet I believe that every neighborhood must do its part to prioritize affordable housing AND keep open green space - the 388 Hudson site is an option, but is outside the immediate neighborhood.

I am a long serving Manhattan Community Board Chair, and as such have worked tirelessly over the last decade to protect public spaces - Riverside South and the Museum of Natural History expansion are two examples of where I forged real solutions - to make sure we preserve open space while also recognizing the changing needs of a neighborhood.

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?

I have spent my entire career getting things done for Manhattan neighborhoods - and I've done it by talking to everyone, even people who may not agree. Our goals are the same - we want more open space and we want to preserve this neighborhood treasure - and we also need to make sure the neighborhood has affordable housing. If the issue is not resolved by the 2021 elections, I would stand and prioritize the issue of keeping open, green space across our borough including Elizabeth Street Garden.

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.

I look forward to discussing with you.

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

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

I believe in preserving green, open spaces especially in parts of Manhattan that lack access to major City parks. I believe there are ways to save Elizabeth Street Garden which may involve keeping its spirit of the Garden alive - while also reflecting the changing nature of our City and our neighborhoods.