NYC negotiates swap of city lot to settle Elizabeth Street Garden dispute
The city is working with three developers to trade a municipal parcel at 22 Suffolk Street in exchange for ending the lawsuit over the Elizabeth Street Garden.
A protracted legal fight over the Elizabeth Street Garden in Nolita may soon conclude as New York City and the developers Pennrose, Habitat for Humanity and Riseboro negotiate a settlement. The developers sued in November 2025 after the Adams administration halted a plan to build 123 low-income senior units on the garden site. Under the proposed agreement, the city will convey the 22 Suffolk Street lot to the developers as compensation, allowing the city to pursue over 180 affordable units there.
City Hall spokesperson Matt Rasuchenbauch emphasized the city’s commitment to affordable housing and public spaces. The garden has been defended by locals and celebrities such as Robert De Niro and Patti Smith since the proposal was first introduced by former Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2017. Critics argue the settlement does not compensate for the lost senior housing, while the incoming Mamdani administration faces pressure to deliver the new homes quickly.
Why it matters
The deal could shape the availability of affordable housing and the future of a cherished community garden in New York City.
In this story