Carlina Rivera, City Council Member representing Downtown Manhattan’s District 2, has resigned from her position four months before the end of her term. Ms. Rivera had a limited relationship to Greenwich Village and Washington Square Park. The neighborhoods were redistricted in 2023, and, at that time, she replaced CM Christopher Marte in so-called “oversight” of the park.
My one encounter with CM Rivera was this June at Community Board 2’s General Meeting in which I spoke in person about Washington Square Park and my concerns over a private entity having recently been given the reins to this public park and the way it went down (more reporting on this to come) – going against the Community Board’s own resolution. CB2 had previously specifically ruled against a license agreement being given to Washington Square Park Conservancy. Rivera spoke immediately after me via Zoom and felt the need – without knowing an ounce of the history – to pipe in and to basically say “Oh well, that’s what’s going at Prospect Park and Central Park.” It was infuriating as Rivera did not know any of the history: what goes at the larger parks that have been privatized since the 1970s or 1980s does not apply to Washington Square Park.
It’s not a big loss but the idea that a Council Member resigns from a City Council position four months early so they can make bank to head up a non profit is just all kinds of wrong. And yet it doesn’t feel like she’s getting much negative commentary (though commenters at Lower East Side blog EV Grieve were not complimentary).
Rivera was term limited so her seat is up for grabs with a new City Council Member filling her place in January 2026.
From NY1: Carlina Rivera is stepping down from her City Council position
Councilmember Carlina Rivera confirmed in an interview on “Inside City Hall” Friday that she is stepping down from her City Council seat for a new position.
“It’s such a bittersweet moment for me,” she told NY1’s Bobby Cuza. “I have really loved the job and it’s become a part of my identity in the best way possible.”
Rivera was term-limited, but decided to leave the council four months early.
She has represented District 2 in the City Council for eight years. The Manhattan neighborhoods in the district include Gramercy, Greenwich Village and the East Village.
Democratic nominee Harvey Epstein will face Republican nominee Jason Murillo for the Manhattan seat in November. Rivera said Epstein is “sure to win the general” election.
Rivera will now lead the New York State Association for Affordable Housing, a trade association that represents affordable housing developers.
“I now get to lead the largest affordable housing association, and the time certainly was right,” she said.
“The time certainly is right” if you are the right person to do this but Carlina Rivera sold out East River Park leading to its destruction, reversing her original position and selling out the community thereby impacting/destroying hundreds of trees and wildlife/the ecosystem. Anyone – virtually every New Yorker right now – looking for “affordable housing” is unlikely to be protected by Ms. Rivera.
Jeff Coltin from Politico posted her resignation on Twitter/X and that got a lot of feedback. Not that Ms. Rivera will take it to heart, she just will continue on her political maneuverings.
Top Image: Jeff Coltin/Politico via Twitter/X
Bottom Photo: Cathryn