According to Monday’s Brooklyn Paper – developer Abe Betesche’s initial set of plans to turn the 109 yr old ‘Green Church’ into condos has been disapproved by the Department of Buildings.
The plans, which include a 72 unit residential building, an 8,196-square-foot church, and a 42-car parking lot on the corner of Ovington and Bay Ridge avenues were kicked back to the developer by the DOB – for reasons unknown.

While preservationists are not hailing this as a victory, they do see it as a much welcome reprieve that gives activists and local politicians, such as Councilman Vincent Gentile, time to work behind the scenes in an effort to find an alternative buyer for the historic property.

Conversely, Abe Betesch and the Methodist congregation regard it as nothing more than revision – and don’t see it deterring them from proceeding with their plans for developing the site.

(photo courtesy: flickr)