Just south of Houston Street and nestled by the busy Bowery, an urban oasis has laid in peril.
For over 20 years, the Elizabeth Street Garden stood as the gold star standard for Downtown’s revival and has long provided a refuge for denizens in the otherwise park-deprived neighborhood of NoLita.
The park’s story began in the early 1990s, at a time when empty lots and trash-ridden hovels were commonplace throughout New York City. Collector and Art Dealer Allan Reiver looked on from the window of his Elizabeth Street loft at the ruins of what was once a public school playground.
Amid the burnt-out cars and refuse, he imagined an urban plot reborn.
In spring, the wildflowers and pear trees would grow. Winding gravel paths would lead visitors to Gilded Age wonders left behind by forgotten millionaires. When summer arrived, fig trees would bear fruit and the sound of poetry would resonate throughout the park.
This was the legacy Reiver would leave behind. On land leased by the city, the Elizabeth Street Garden would grow as an ideal respite for those lunching on break or returning from a long day at school. As the neighborhoods of SoHo and NoLita expanded, so did the popularity of this small park.
In 2013, Reiver learned that the acre-sized site would be slated for demolition in preparation for senior affordable housing. Despite public opposition and pleas from public officials to relocate the project, the New York City Planning Commission and Department of Housing Preservation and Development dismissed public sentiment and decided the garden would close for good.
In the final months of the garden’s struggle, notable figures from across the artistic world came to the park’s defense. Legendary singer-songwriter Patti Smith and Manhattan native Robert De Niro publicly urged the mayor to halt the demolition. Both artists highlighted the park’s vital role in the revitalization of Downtown, especially in the aftermath of September 11.
While the fate of Elizabeth Street is certain, Reiver’s creation is a testament to one person’s impact on an entire community.
For over two decades, people of all ages – from school children to movie stars– benefitted from this urban gem in their community.
From rubble and ruin to an epicenter of the arts, Elizabeth Street Garden will be remembered for its enchanting scene and untimely demise.
What lies ahead for the site remains well-intended and in pursuit of a noble goal.
As NYC continues to face an unprecedented housing crisis, Mayor Eric Adams and his administration aim to build 500,000 new homes by 2032. The Elizabeth Street Garden will be redeveloped into 123 new apartments for aging New Yorkers and in time, 14,000 square feet of open space for the community to enjoy once again.