Candidate Name: Ursila Jung

Office Campaigning for: New York City Council, District 1

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

All communities need and deserve green spaces within a 10. minute walk from where they live and/or work. This is essential for physical wellbeing, mental health, socialization as well as preventing urban hotspots.

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.

There is no debate on whether the City needs affordable housing- we all agree it does. We need to educate the public as well the City that the same holds true of green spaces, community gardens and parks. It is a false narrative to pit the two against each other because building large building without established spaces can only contribute to the building of a soulless, urban, concrete jungle.

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

Yes. In my early years in NYC, while at Columbia University, we would come "so far" downtown rarely - and even then, when ever we were in that vicinity, Elizabeth Street garden was striking in its sculpture placement which we admired as we walked past. Over the years since it became public, I have often strolled through or sat there for a minute with coffee. I was there last for the Spring Equinox celebration where I enjoyed the beautiful weather, the mellow vibe and the amazing Tibetan (??) poet/ songwriter/ musicians.

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?

Just yesterday, I attended the info session which the city has started holding for 388 Hudson to show my support for that proposed plan. The info van was parked at the site to give people a good idea of how that location is perfect for building housing without encroaching on any green space.

ESG IS CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN TWO LAWSUITS TO SAVE THE GARDEN. ONE TO STOP HPD'S ATTEMPT TO EVICT THE GARDEN AND THE OTHER WITHIN THE APPELLATE DIVISION OF THE STATE SUPREME COURT LED BY ATTORNEY NORMAN SIEGEL. IF THE ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED BEFORE THE CHANGE OF OFFICE, ONCE IN OFFICE, HOW WOULD YOU WORK WITH ESG TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN?

I would work with the local resident community towards the most desirable outcomes.

IF ELECTED, WILL YOU PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR 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 HERE: HTTPS://WWW.ELIZABETHSTREETGARDEN.COM/CLT

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