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Elizabeth Street Garden, which Robert De Niro rallied to save, was given an eviction notice and told he had 14 days to pack his bags.

Elizabeth Street Garden, which Robert De Niro rallied to save, was given an eviction notice and told he had 14 days to pack his bags.

A beloved New York City garden that celebrities like Robert De Niro rallied to save has received an eviction notice — and he has just 14 days to vacate its lush, sculpture-decorated grounds.

The Elizabeth Street Garden in Nolita has been told it has two weeks left as the city plans to replace the green space with housing and commercial space, officials said Wednesday.

“While we have been waiting for notice to be served, we are very disappointed that Mayor Eric Adams and Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer have refused to delay the eviction despite ongoing negotiations and thousands of letters from the public demanding that they save the garden. “, declared the leaders of the garden in a press release.

“Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer are well aware that they can delay any evictions in order to work with us on proposals for public and private sites,” the garden added. “At this point, they have chosen not to seriously consider a true win-win-win solution where there would be no loss to the community. »

The beloved Elizabeth Street Garden in Nolita has received its much-anticipated eviction notice — with just 14 days to vacate its lush, sculpture-studded grounds. Stephen Yang for the New York Post

The garden and its supporters fought a decade-long battle with the city over plans to demolish the 20,000-square-foot lot and build 123 units of affordable senior housing — which advocates say could have been built anywhere else.

City officials, however, have long argued that supporters presented a “false choice” between public space and housing — and that the Haven Green plan would build a 0.15-acre green space.

Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese and Patti Smith wrote letters to Adams in August urging him to change his mind and save the peaceful patch of grass. New York City Legends followed in the footsteps of more than 130 PS130 seniors and students who filed a petition to keep the garden alive in August.

“Our great city is at risk of becoming an uncontrolled haven for real estate developers, and we’re counting on you to help us set a lasting precedent for how New York City will protect public art and green spaces for the future.” , Smith, 77, wrote in his message. Letter of August 14.

Robert De Niro is among the famous residents who have spoken out in favor of the Elizabeth Street garden. Getty Images for the Tribeca Festival

Older people in Nolita noted that many of them “rely heavily on the garden as the only true walkable green space in the neighborhood”; PS 130 students view the garden as an extension of their classroom, The New York Times reported.

“It’s one of the only places you can sit without spending money and see your community,” Patricia Squillari, 72, told the Post.

The garden and its supporters have been waging a decade-long battle with the city over plans to demolish the 20,000-square-foot space and build 123 units of affordable housing for seniors. Stephen Yang for the New York Post
“It’s one of the only places you can sit without spending money and see your community,” Patricia Squillari, 72, told the Post. Stephen Yang for the New York Post

The garden offers nearly 200 free programs a year ranging from Tai Chi and yoga to live music and film screenings – for now.

The location could be replaced with retail and 11,200 square feet of office space, with Habitat for Humanity as the anchor tenant.

The Garden said it would continue to work with its legal team “to resolve the eviction issue” as the city announced the eviction notice Wednesday.

Demolition could begin as early as September to make way for retail and 11,200 square feet of office space, with Habitat for Humanity as the anchor tenant, Stephen Yang for the New York Post

“Far too many people, including older New Yorkers, struggle to find housing and pay rent. That’s why we fought for Haven Green and that’s why we will always fight to create affordable housing in all five boroughs,” said the New York City Department of Housing. said Ilana Maier, communications director for Preservation and Development, in a statement.

“Today is a step forward for both affordable housing and community green spaces. Today is an optimistic day. And today, we reaffirm our commitment to solving the homelessness and affordable housing crisis, even when doing so is a political challenge.