Iconic NYC garden that Robert De Niro, celebs rallied to save slapped with eviction notice and told it has 14 days to pack up

A beloved New York City garden that celebrities like Robert De Niro rallied to save has been served an eviction notice – and it only has 14 days to leave its lush green lot decorated with sculptures.The Elizabeth Street Garden in Nolita was told it has two weeks to leave as the city plans to replace the greenspace with housing and retail space, officials said Wednesday.“While we have been expecting the notice to be served, we are very disappointed that Mayor Eric Adams and Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer have refused to hold off on the eviction despite ongoing negotiations and thousands of letters from the public demanding they save the garden,” the garden’s leadership said in a statement.“Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer are well aware that they can hold off on any eviction in order to work with us on both the public and private site proposals,” the garden added.“At this point, they have chosen not to seriously consider a true win-win-win solution where there is no loss to the community.”The garden and its supporters have waged a decade-long battle with the city over plans to demolish the 20,000-square-foot lot and build 123 units of affordable housing for seniors – which advocates argue could’ve been built anywhere else.City officials, however, have long maintained that supporters have presented a “false choice” between public space and housing — and that the Haven Green plan would build a .15-acre green space.Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese and Patti Smith penned letters to Adams in August urging him to have a change of heart and save the tranquil patch of grass.

The New York City legends followed in the footsteps of more than 130 senior citizens and PS130 students who petitioned to keep the garden alive in August.“Our great city is in danger of becoming a developer’s unchecked haven, and we look to you to help us set a lasting precedent for how New York City will protect public art and green spaces for the futu...