Greenberg Springs Into Reelection Campaign

Dozens of Wooster Square neighbors gathered in Lenzi Park Sunday afternoon — drawn in by a chilly spring breeze, and an announcement.

As the first cherry blossom buds jutted out from their branches, Aaron Greenberg started his campaign for a second term as the neighborhood’s alder.

A steady flow of people with trays of food filled the small rectangular green. They filled their plates, caught up with each other’s lives, and enjoyed the day’s sunshine.

Former Wooster Square Alder Michael Smart, now city clerk, called his successor a ​“consensus builder,” crucial in ​“one of the most diverse wards” in the city. A year and a half ago, neighbors wanted a leader who was going to be deeply involved and carry out their wishes. ​“Aaron has certainly stepped up to the plate,” he said, to applause from the crowd.

A Yale graduate student and president of the university’s graduate student union organization, Greenberg won Ward 8’s aldermanic election in November 2013 as a Democrat running against local businessman Andy Ross, an independent.

In his brief announcement speech, Greenberg said soon after he began as alder, ​“a flood of development projects opened up” in the neighborhood, including two new apartment buildings planned on Olive Street. Chair of the Board of Alders education committee, Greenberg also worked on the ordinances governing the Board of Education’s transition from a fully mayorally-appointed body to one including elected members and non-voting student members.

“All these exciting things are happening,” he said, but they were accompanied by ​“tragic things.” Last fall, an 81-year-old neighbor was hit by a car as she crossed Olive Street, causing the community to renew its call for more effective traffic-calming measures.

Greenberg’s a ​“rookie” who is ​“tireless” in tackling neighborhood issues as well as his other aldermanic duties, said Majority Leader Alder Al Paolillo Jr.

“When you have something good, keep it,” he advised the semi-circle of neighbors around him.

Downtown Alder Abby Roth (pictured) showed up to show her support. So did Greenberg’s parents, who flew out from California, and his brother, who had a shorter trek from upstate New York.

“It’s good to see wealthy, well educated people coming down to the level of the needy,” said Anais Nunez (pictured left), who lives in public housing complex Farnam Courts. The local housing authority is preparing for the first phase of redevelopment for Farnam Courts, expected to cost around $40 million.

Greenberg said ​“following through” on that process would be one of his three main priorities as alder, if reelected. He also wants to focus on reducing traffic accidents on Olive Street and on maintaining a line of communication between neighborhoods and developers.