The Day: Yet Another Winter Storm and a Historic Property Slated for Development

Snow piled on cars from the last snowstorm in the neighborhood. (Photo by Oswaldo Cabrera)

Good morning, Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.

We hope you had a chance to enjoy the brief respite from the winter chill this weekend, especially since the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning until 7 p.m. today. The neighborhood is predicted to get three to five inches of snow today, so get those snow shovels ready, locals.

Here’s some more local news to start your week:

Black Artstory also kicked off its month-long celebration of Black History Month and local artists this weekend. Be sure to check out the continuing events – including a free art reception at the Gnarly Vines, 350 Myrtle Avenue, on Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. – this week on the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership website.
Real estate developer East River Partners, known for converting brownstones into apartment buildings, is planning to build two adjacent, four-story buildings, containing a total of residential 14 units, at an historic Fort Greene property on South Portland Avenue and South Oxford Street, reported Buzz Buzz. The property comprises an 1865 townhouse, carriage house and garage. According to building plans filed on Jan. 30, the buildings will be 50-feet tall.
The announcement earlier this month that the Rev. Carmen Mason-Browne would be leaving her position as interim pastor at the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Fort Greene provoked a wave of protest from the congregation, reported The New York Times. Despite her popularity among parishioners – a recent church survey showed a nearly 90 percent approval rating – the church’s group of elders declined to renew her contract as interim pastor for a third year.