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May 10, 2012
Building Blocks: South Oxford Street
The Local [Fort Greene/Clinton Hill]
by Kyle Thomas McGovern
Today, we begin a new column, Building Blocks, which will profile the men and women behind the best streets in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. For the debut, The Local spoke with Abby Weissman, president of the South Oxford Street Block Association, which oversees the block between Fulton Street and DeKalb Avenue, and a resident of Fort Greene for 14 years.
...How did you originally get involved with neighborhood activism?
When my wife and I first moved in, we met all of the people on the block and that was the organization. Althea Buchanan, the woman who was the president before me, died, and a lot of things came up that somebody had to take care of, notably the tree guard project and the fight against Atlantic Yards. I became the lead organizer. There was nobody else who was willing or who had the time.
...What are some concerns you have for the neighborhood?
I’m wary about Atlantic Yards and all the bars opening. The neighborhood is becoming like Williamsburg, like a party zone. When the arena opens, who knows what’s going to happen? Thankfully, we’re on the other side of Atlantic Avenue, but there’s still going to be a big quality-of-life impact here.
Posted by eric at May 10, 2012 12:29 PM