Candidate Name: Yuh-Line Niou

Office Campaigning for: NYS Senate 27

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

I have always voted against park alienation during my time in the Assembly and the COVID-19 pandemic taught us how important it is to have public green spaces here in Lower Manhattan.

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

We are very supportive of affordable housing in Lower Manhattan and we need more of as soon as possible. Building more units is a value add to our community and a top priority for me. We shouldn't have to pit two of our dire needs against each other. Lower Manhattan has a need for affordable housing and for more public green space. With the temporary closures of a number of green spaces in this district, it is important that we preserve the spaces that we have left.

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