It looks like the Russo Realty empire on Smith Street near Ninth Street is about to meet its maker. Earlier this year, blogger 423 Smith jokingly referred to the strip as “The Notary District.” The buildings have been in the process of being prepped for demolition since summer, with rat poison spread around. Now, a reader reports:
Just passed by the old Vincent Russo buildings at Smith-9th. They’re finally putting them out of their misery. Big green exes marking the unstable floors and a crew hauling out junk. I assume demolition will follow. Good riddance.
Some permits have been issued that would indicate that demolition is imminent. There is more on the quirky, if decrepit Russo Realty buildings over at Forgotten NY.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Icky // Dec 19, 2007 at 12:16 pm
I went past on the B75 yesterday, and saw a big dumpeter out front, with a crew clearing out/gutting the buildings. They are/were ugly as hell, but in the best way possible. Sad.
2 Anonymous // Dec 19, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Where’s all the outrage?
Isn’t this a precious part of precious Brooklyn history?
Anyone?
Underground railroad?
Irish migration?
Italian-American history?
The Notary Public Museum?
3 Anonymous // Dec 19, 2007 at 2:50 pm
interesting point anonymous, even if it was in jest.
there is a new dunkin donuts a block and a half further down 9th, at Hamilton. no outrage like with the one at 1st and Court.
A huge 11-story tower at hamilton and luquer, nearing completion. no outrage like 360 Smith.
4 Anonymous // Dec 23, 2007 at 8:54 pm
I live a block away from the Russo-plex, and let me say this, friends:
Sometime you just have to call a nutty dump a nutty dump.
Good riddance.
Just because it’s old doesn’t mean we have to miss it.