On Monday morning, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro made good on one of his priorities: reneging on the Adams administration's controversial pledge to evict Elizabeth Street Garden and build affordable housing for seniors in the SoHo lot. Under the already sweltering morning sun, Mastro announced that he had reached an agreement with Councilmember Christopher Marte to scrap the long-delayed Haven Green housing project, which would provide 123 apartments for low-income and formerly homeless seniors.
One of Mastro's first acts upon joining the administration in April was to put the City's plans to seize the garden on hold. He did so at the behest of some of the richest and most powerful New Yorkers, including Robert De Niro and Frank Carone.
Mastro's announcement, a major reversal for the administration, left affordable housing advocates stunned and confused. Executive Director of Open New York Annemarie Gray told Hell Gate that Mastro's announcement was "ridiculous."