Candidate Name: Susan Lee

Office Campaigning for: New York City Council, District 1

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

Growing up in a multigenerational household where my grandmother, uncle, aunt, parents, and brother lived under one roof, my family always used parks and public squares as an extension of our home. It was behind that thinking that I created SDR Park Alliance and, through it, applied for the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative Grant. We secured over $3M of funding to revitalize and renovate a much-needed public space in our community. Through this initiative, we worked with Partnership for the Partners, James Corner at Field Operations (the designer of the Highline and Domino Park), and Trust for Public Land. Through these relationships, I better understood how parks and public spaces drive public engagement and community cohesion. It truly was an honor to receive this significant investment for Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Sara D. Roosevelt Park could be one of the city's greatest and most unique parks, given its location between culturally distinct neighborhoods with a rich history (Chinatown, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side). My view of SDR Park is the same for all parks! Public gathering spaces are essential to the health of our community. The renovated and revitalized public spaces are a green sanctuary for use by a multicultural, multigenerational neighborhood. Investment in our community and supporting and expanding access to green spaces make a meaningful difference in the quality of life for all residents. It is something I will ardently support as a Council Member.

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.

Coming out of COVID, we all understand the importance of green and public spaces. Parks are essential in densely populated urban areas that are extensions of our homes. We must continually invest in and fight for our green and public spaces that play an integral part in the social fabric of our lives.

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

Yes, it’s a beautiful garden with a lot of community programming. ESG provides much-needed green space in our community, where the ratio of buildings to open space is nominal. I hope ESG will continue providing these programs to serve the community.

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?

The city is facing an affordable housing crisis-having 388 Hudson Street for affordable housing would help alleviate some of that burden.

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 will respect the ruling from the pending court cases. If it is not resolved when I am in office, I will work with ESG and other stakeholders to find a solution that will work for the entire community, such as additional programming and extending hours of operations.

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

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

If ESG is under the Parks Department's jurisdiction, it is protected from development under city law; therefore it would guarantee that ESG will be an open space for the community.

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