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May 22, 2012
Building Blocks: South Portland Avenue
The Local [Fort Greene/Clinton Hill]
by Kyle Thomas McGovern
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In the second installment of our new Building Blocks column, The Local spoke with Peter Vitakis, the president of the South Portland Avenue Block Association. Mr. Vitakis has led the organization, which oversees the block between Fulton Street and DeKalb Avenue, for seven years and has been a resident of Fort Greene since 1979.
...Q. How did you originally get involved with neighborhood activism?
A. When I had just moved into the neighborhood, we were just exchanging notes in terms of renovations. Little by little, there were other outside developments coming in, such as Atlantic Center Mall, and that was of concern because it was going to affect us, with its traffic and truck routes. All of the surrounding blocks were very much in favor of Atlantic Center’s development at that time. So, I joined an active committee to fight. We were the only block that sued [developer Bruce] Ratner.
...What are some concerns you have for the neighborhood?
A. Primarily the ongoing traffic re-routings in the area and I like to know about new projects in the immediate vicinity. And quality of life preservation, street beautification — we take care of our trees very well. South Portland is a two-way street that’s interrupted by a one-way street between Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street and we’d like to keep it that way because it protects these two blocks from northbound traffic and the residential quality, not only of South Portland, but also of the neighborhood in general. And over the years, I’ve noticed that the city, in connection with developers, try to be one or more steps ahead of us so that we’re tripped over. That I find difficult.
It seems that the neighborhood’s concerns are being dismissed over and over again and we’re not paid any heed.
Photo: Kyle Thomas McGovern/The Local
Posted by eric at May 22, 2012 11:06 AM