A Jungle Grows On Smith Street

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Once upon a time, several one-story buildings stood at the corner of Smith and Douglass Street. About 15 years ago, one of them housed SUR, a popular Argentinian steakhouse that helped spark Smith Street's revival. Another was home to a bicycle shop, if my memory serves me right.

By 2006, the stores closed, and shortly afterwards, the buildings were demolished, presumably to make way for a new building.

Since then, the big empty lot at 232-240 Smith Street, has been sitting empty and in the last few years, its owner, SON CLAIRE REALTY LLC, has amassed not only a Stop Work Order from DOB, but also a very impressive amount of violations for 'work without permit' as well as for 'failure to maintain construction fence" from NYC Department Of Buildings.

In addition, fines adding up to several thousand dollars have been imposed.

Yet, on a regular basis, sections of the plywood fence continue to warp or to fall down as well as restrict half of the sidewalk on the Smith Street side.

Over the years, trees and weeds have taken over the lot.  Neighbors continue to call 311, without much result, it would seem.