Overview

• The Adams administration officially canceled the decade-old Haven Green plan to build 123 affordable senior apartments at Elizabeth Street Garden after extensive legal and community battles.
• Councilmember Christopher Marte backed a deal to rezone 156-166 Bowery, 22 Suffolk Street and 100 Gold Street, unlocking space for over 620 new affordable housing units, including relocated senior homes.
• Under the agreement, Elizabeth Street Garden will remain a publicly accessible one-acre site from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, securing its preservation and community role.
• Housing advocates argued the decision favors local opposition over urgent needs for vulnerable seniors, while the original development team said they were “stunned and deeply saddened” by the abrupt project cancellation.
• The proposed rezonings must clear a lengthy City Council review process and could outlast Mayor Adams’ term, with officials reserving the right to revisit the garden site if new developments do not proceed.