The early part of the week will include protests by supporters and foes of a controversial plan to build a senior affordable complex at the Elizabeth Street Garden.
On Friday, the city announced that Pennrose Properties, Habitat NYC and the Brooklyn-based non-profit RiseBoro had been tapped to develop the city-owned site. There will be 121 apartments and 7600 square feet of open space. While City Council member Margaret Chin is an enthusiastic backer of the proposal, while local activists in Little Italy and the Village, as well as most other elected officials, oppose the plan.
Friends of Elizabeth Street Garden will be holding a rally today at 1 p.m. at City Hall.
Then, tomorrow at 2 p.m., Council member Chin and affordable housing advocates, will stage a rally of their own at City Hall.
The proposal must be approved by the City Council through the ULURP process, but the Council normally defers to local Council members. Since Chin is a strong supporter of the development plan, approval is likely. On the other hand, there’s a powerful coalition that has come together to fight the proposal, so anything is possible.
