“If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of faliure”
― Dan Quayle

In an effort to beautify SoHo the courts have again come to our rescue. I remember the heated arguments at Community Board #2 where most of the members were Greenwich Village residents. SoHo fought vociferously for a dog run and finally SoHo got one. Except it was operated by a hotel and you had to pay a hefty fee for your animal to relieve itself. Other than that there’s the Hudson River Park where you have to wait an hour to use the tennis courts and risk Canal Street and West Side Highway freeway traffic to get there.

But the appellate courts have ruled. And, after all, the basketball courts which are next to ModernHaus Hotel (formerly The James where the Moondance Diner lived for decades), the only accessible place to play sports in SoHo — will reopen in 2026.

By then arthritis will prevent me from playing.

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Dear Don,

In a split decision last week, the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals in Albany, ruled in favor of the city’s argument that destroying our Elizabeth Street Garden would have no significant impact on the neighborhood or its environment. 

The six judges in favor churned out a brief boilerplate decision only four pages in length, rubber-stamping the city’s claim.

Their ruling appears to be a trend in that court, which usually agrees with the city in community litigation, reluctant to buck the system even when the obvious is staring them in the face.

On the other hand, the one dissenting judge, Jenny Rivera, wrote a well-researched and reasoned 24-page decision, noting the the city failed to take a “hard look” at the incredible lack of green space in our community and the need for the city to adhere to the Paris Climate Accord to which it has signed on in this age of climate change.  

However, the fight to save the garden is not over and the legal team is considering all remaining options.

What Can You Do?

Send this pre-written letter to Mayor Adams insisting he stop the evictions and save the garden. URGENT:

WRITE THE MAYOR

136,971 letters have already been sent. The goal is 200,000.

Make a tax-deductible contribution to the legal fund. 

DONATE

SPREAD THE WORD: Please Forward This Email to Friends and Neighbors

Sincerely,

Sean Sweeney

Director

SoHo Alliance

A Volunteer Community Association

PO Box 429

New York, NY 10012

212-353-8466