Candidate Name: Mariama James
Office Campaigning for: NYS Assembly 65
HAVE YOU EVER VISITED ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN?
Yes
ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN HAS NOW OFFICIALLY BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION. UNDER THE PUBLIC TRUST DOCTRINE, LAND FORMALLY DEDICATED AS PARKLAND CANNOT BE SOLD, LEASED, OR USED FOR NON-PARK PURPOSES WITHOUT LEGISLATIVE AUTHORIZATION. IF ELECTED, WOULD YOU VOTE TO REMOVE ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN AS PARKLAND IF THAT VOTE TOOK PLACE?
No
PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER TO THE QUESTION ABOVE
My position is rooted in a broader policy goal: I believe all thriving, neighborhood-supported community gardens should be formally designated as public parks. These spaces are essential for urban resiliency and the health of our residents. Under the Public Trust Doctrine, land dedicated as parkland is protected from being sold or used for non-park purposes without legislative authorization. By designating these gardens as parks, we ensure that the "shared victories" of our community are protected for future generations rather than being treated as temporary placeholders for development. I’m proud to be the only candidate in my race to have stood with the community in defense of the garden over the past many years, the only candidate for whom this victory is personal.
THE PLAN THAT SAVES ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN WILL DELIVER 10X THE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF ADDITIONAL HOUSING UNITS. IN ADDITION TO FAR MORE UNITS, THE ALTERNATIVE SITE PLAN ENSURES THAT THE AFFORDABILITY WILL BE PERMANENT, UNLIKE THE DEVELOPMENT THAT WOULD'VE DESTROYED THE GARDEN. DO YOU PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS PLAN?
Yes
PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER TO THE QUESTION ABOVE
I support this plan because it proves we do not have to choose between housing and green space. By advocating for the designation of community gardens as permanent parks, I am also committing to finding smarter, high-density alternatives for housing. The alternative site for ESG delivers 10x the originally proposed affordable units and ensures that affordability is permanent. Some years ago, my dear friend, State Committee Woman Jill Goodkind, our young friend and neighbor Taylor Banning and I co-founded a coalition of brilliant Lower Manhattan leaders and the late great Carol Lamberg in advocacy of 100% permanently affordable housing at 5WTC. My experience at 5WTC taught me that we can secure permanently affordable housing, particularly on government land, by requiring developers to prioritize community needs over luxury profits—all while keeping our vital green spaces intact.
IF ELECTED, DO YOU PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT TO ENSURE THAT ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN REMAINS PRESERVED IN PERPETUITY AND CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED BY ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN, INC.?*
Yes