ESG Public Advocate Questionnaire
Former Public Advocate Letitia James has been a strong supporter of saving Elizabeth Street Garden and using the alternative site at 388 Hudson to build affordable housing. “I say to the Mayor and City of NY, it is a false choice (pitting ESG against affordable housing). We can do affordable housing and we can have open space.”
Elizabeth Street Garden (ESG) sent a questionnaire to all of the candidates running for Public Advocate. Please see the responses from those who responded below.
1. Have you visited Elizabeth Street Garden before? If so, please
describe your experience.
Ill never forget the first time I saw the Elizabeth Street Garden and
thought "This is why I love New York!!" Its one of those unexpected
New York places that remind us why we are here. Sadly that unique New
York is being given away by our political leaders who are puppets of
the Real Estate Industry (REBNY). Im running for Public Advocate to
take back OUR CITY!
2. What is your position on the alternative site solution that would
use 388 Hudson — a gravel-filled, city-owned lot — to provide 5x the
amount of affordable housing and additional public open space while
saving Elizabeth Street Garden?
I am all in favor of the alternative site solution. And I resent how
the de Blasio administration and the developer are dividing us by
claiming that opponents of the Elizabeth St Garden location are
somehow against affordable housing for LGBTQ seniors. How dare they
pull a 'Divide and Conquer' strategy on us!
3. Given the immediate threat, how as Public Advocate would you work
with our community to protect and preserve Elizabeth Street Garden and
use the alternative site for the proposed development?
As a candidate for Public Advocate I have called on all my opponents
who are currently on the City Council to pledge to vote against the
Elizabeth Street Garden project in the ULURP. As Public Advocate I
will work to stop the ULURP and Save the Garden with the full force of
my office.
4. What is your position on how the City prioritizes public open green
space and how community gardens are being pitted against the need for
affordable housing?
I am disgusted by de Blasio and REBNY's Divide and Conquer strategy
that resulted in the rezoning of affordable neighborhoods like East
Harlem and Inwood and the loose of hospitals and greenspaces like ESG.
Enough is ENOUGH!
