Candidate Name: Jenny Low

Office Campaigning for: City Council District 1

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

Public green spaces such as parks, sports fields, woods, lakesides, and gardens give people the space for physical activity, relaxation, peace, and play a valuable and irreplaceable role within our communities. In the midst of the pandemic, urban green spaces provide a benefit to our mental health by allowing us places to escape social isolation. Green spaces keep communities safe and welcoming for neighbors, and serve everyone. Parents come with their toddlers, students come to study, people come to exercise, and many come to simply enjoy nature and fresh air. These spaces are oftentimes multi-generational and are essential to the hearts of our communities. I believe that these spaces are necessary. I would rally and work with park advocates, workers, labor unions and other stakeholders in order for Parks Department Staff funding to be reinstated for the FY 22 city budget. These positions help maintain the high quality of our parks by ensuring safety, cleanliness, and maintenance standards that we rely on. Personally, I have volunteered in several local clean-up campaigns to clean up streets and parks.

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.

In the SoHo/NoHo neighborhoods, we need more open green space and we need more affordable housing, especially for seniors to age in place. It is a shame that we are being forced to pit green space against affordable senior housing. While I may not be able to rectify past situations, I am in favor of keeping green space and increasing affordable housing. We can have both if we don’t limit ourselves to City Council District lines. The needs of New Yorkers are not separated by district lines. As Council Member, I will collaborate with neighboring Council Members and residents to find space where we can keep Elizabeth Garden as is and build affordable housing for seniors in Lower Manhattan who sorely need better housing to age in place with proper services.

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

I have been to Elizabeth Street Garden. When I stepped into the garden, my first impression of the garden is that it was filled with a scent of the togetherness that our community possesses. The vibrant colors of the flora and ferns that the garden has is beautiful. It is amazing how much the garden has to offer for the NYC community. I’ve seen how many people have gone to visit the Elizabeth Street Garden. Many people go to the public garden to admire the beauty of the garden itself or they go there to relax or hang out. I believe that the Elizabeth Street Garden has a lot to offer for future generations to come because my experience in the garden was absolutely delightful.

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 am in favor of this alternate site solution that uses 388 Hudson, as it provides up to 5 times the amount of affordable housing while keeping this green space that Elizabeth Street Garden has provided for the SoHo and NoHo communities. It is such a shame that we are in this situation where we have to contend this beautiful open green space against affordable housing for seniors—how can we be expected to favor one issue over the other? With the space provided by 388 Hudson, we will be able to provide both if we do not limit ourselves to City Council District lines. Taking in account the busy atmosphere of our city and the growing elderly population, the greenspace that Elizabeth Street Garden provides for us and senior housing is not something that just benefits the Lower Manhattan community, but the entirety of New York City. The needs of New Yorkers are not separated by district lines as we all use and live in this space together. By using this area, we will be able to provide up to 5 times the amount of affordable housing and public space. As Council Member, I will collaborate with neighboring Council Members and residents in order to ensure that we build this senior residency in an area that is beneficial to all while allowing Elizabeth Street Garden to keep its space.

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?

As Council Member, I will review the status of the project in my first days in office. It’s vital for me to access all the impending projects in the district, meet with advocates and discuss viable options and solutions. As stated, I want to collaborate with neighboring Council Members and residents to find space where we can keep Elizabeth Garden as is and build affordable housing for seniors in Lower Manhattan who sorely need better housing to age in place with proper services. We can have both if we don’t limit ourselves to City Council District lines. The needs of New Yorkers are not separated by district lines.

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.

When elected, I would fully support the ESG’s plan to save the garden as a Conservation Land Trust. I personally think that the Conservation Land Trust is the best choice for keeping the Elizabeth Street Garden open because the CLT won’t change any major functions of the ESG. For example, if the ESG acts as a CLT, the ESG would manage hours the same as they have it now (50hrs/week) or more. Additionally, the ESG would focus its attention on fundraising and growing the garden community instead of working to save the garden. If the ESG acted as a NYC mapped park, they would not only need to abide by the rules of a NYC park, but they would also need to remove all of the garden’s unique structures and statuaries. Of course, the list goes on of how the ESG acting as a Conservation Land Trust will be the best choice.

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