Candidate Name: Kim Watkins

Office Campaigning for: Manhattan Borough President

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

Public green spaces are a vital part of an urban ecosystem, not just for aesthetic reasons, seating and leisure areas, and other outdoor activities for humans, but also for the countless other species of plants and animals that occupy our space. Microorganisms that populate the dirt, which in turn absorbs rainwater and other precipitation are critical. Flowers and insects that attract birds, which in turn help spread pollen and seeds. As climate change continues to threaten the planet, human beings have a responsibility to act with these fundamental truths in mind. We do not need another luxury development on the lower east side.

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.

New York City leaders have performed terribly when it comes to prioritizing public green space without harming people in the process. Starting all the way back to Central Park's development and the razing of Seneca Village, prestige and potential revenue generation are prioritized over the needs of everyday New Yorkers and the 23 square miles that we call home. In many ways, the rezoning and development processes, which breeds NIMBY orientation. I maintain that the process itself must be reformed.

I am the only candidate who isn't an alum from a Community Board. My experience for public office was grown out of the far less powerful, but far more coalition-building work within the public school system. Parents are pit against each other too - we see that all too often in divisive issues like admissions and standardized testing. However, progress is made in any issue by taking on the complexities, listening to stakeholders, and helping devise solutions that help everyone.

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

I have jogged through it as part of my long-time work with half marathon and marathon runners. I am also running all 508 miles of Manhattan as part of my campaign and ran BY it, but not IN it. I will put it on my schedule for next month however, and I'd love to meet up with your team if you are available.

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 haven't looked at the details of this plan. If the space is truly affordable - deeply affordable - I could support it. However, if it is city-owned, it should be given back to the people in the form of a space that is developed as part of a new Michell Lama type home ownership structure.

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! Definitely!

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