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Living in Fort Greene

By S. Tia Brown | Special to amNewYork

May 4, 2006

Even those who have never been to Fort Greene have probably seen it.

The neighborhood is replete with tree-lined streets, gracious brownstones and picturesque stoops -- all favored visuals of music video and movie directors looking to capture the essential Brooklyn experience -- and that it is.

The neighborhood is named after Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Greene, who oversaw the development of Fort Putnam in 1776. The fort's name was changed to Fort Greene in 1814.

In 1864, Frederick Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, the designers of Central Park, were commissioned to develop a park on the fort. Fort Greene Park, the epicenter of the community, was born.

At the turn of the century, the neighborhood was a haven for the working class. By the late 1950s, it was predominantly inhabited by blacks who rented out rooms in the brownstones. The face of the neighborhood slowly began to change in the decade that followed.

"The first wave of pioneers arrived in the late 1960s. They were Pratt Institute students who decided to stay in the neighborhood," said Deborah Howard, executive director of the Pratt Area Community Council.

The area experienced a substantial facelift by the mid-'90s as young professionals moved in. While yuppies have brought their buying power, many longterm residents say they feel as if they are being pushed out.

"There's a problem with affordable housing," Howard said. "Rents have skyrocketed since the mid-'90s, they've more than doubled. There was a time when you could rent an apartment here for $750."

Those times are long gone. Today, the community is filled with affluent artists, entrepreneurs and other professionals.

The entrepreneurial spirit thrives here. The streets are dotted with shops ranging from local bodegas to upscale designer clothing stores.

Despite the economic disparity, there is a vibrant sense of unity and pride. Neighbors know your name, curb their dogs -- and put their trash in bins.

Find It
Fort Greene is nestled between Downtown Brooklyn and Clinton Hill. Its borders are between Flatbush and Atlantic avenues and Myrtle and Vanderbuilt avenues.

The Buzz
The community is up in arms about Atlantic Yards, the stadium and a residential project in the works around Atlantic and Flatbush avenues.

Many fear the complex will spike the already-high real estate market and cause havoc on traffic, waste management and security.

To Eat
The streets are peppered with eateries, from mom-and-pop diners to trendy sushi spots.

Cake Man Raven Confectionery
Don't be surprised if you see a line outside this pastry shop. Known as the "Home of the Harlem Cake Man," the bakery is famous for its red velvet cake -- which is $5 a slice.