Will the Elizabeth Street Garden’s Famous Fans Tank a Plan to Build NYC Housing?

New York City’s decision to evict a prominent city-owned garden in one of the wealthiest parts of Manhattan to make way for affordable housing was a done deal as recently as a month ago, despite pressure from Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese and Patti Smith.

But the battle is apparently not over now that one more well-connected influencer has become engaged: Randy Mastro, a high-powered lawyer who was recently appointed as Mayor Eric Adams’s first deputy mayor.

Mr. Mastro has in recent days discussed backing away from the project, according to five people familiar with the effort. City officials could have booted the garden’s nonprofit tenant as early as March 24, according to court records. But at Mr. Mastro’s request, they have been asked to stand down for now, according to a person familiar with the matter.

It remains unclear if the mayor will side with Mr. Mastro. Adolfo Carrión Jr., the deputy mayor for housing, believes the project should move forward, according to three people familiar with the situation. Mr. Adams, who casts himself as a working-class, pro-housing mayor, has not publicly changed his position.

“Randy is not trying to persuade the mayor of anything,” said Kayla Mamelak Altus, a spokeswoman for Mr. Adams. “He is simply assessing the project because it’s in his portfolio and he is new to the job.”

Ms. Mamelak Altus said that Mr. Mastro was reviewing all city projects now underway, including the Elizabeth Street Garden housing development, which was a priority of Mr. Mastro’s predecessor.