Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auction Re-opens to the Public Sunday at 8 a.m. Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions will open to the public on Sunday, Jan. 24 at 8 a.m. to resume its collector car auction following the severe storm that hit Scottsdale on Thursday night
News-Antique.com - Jan 23,2010 - Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions will open to the public on Sunday, Jan. 24 at 8 a.m. to resume its collector car auction following the severe storm that hit Scottsdale on Thursday night causing the company’s “Decade of Distinction Celebration” to close. During a breakfast briefing for consignors on Saturday morning, Drew Alcazar, co-owner and president & CEO of Russo and Steele provided information about the status of consignors vehicles and notified them that the auction would proceed . After approval from the City of Scottsdale Fire Marshal consignors were allowed to spend time on site to survey damage, if any, to their cars.
Consignors filled the main auction block Saturday morning while Alcazar addressed them. “I’m a car guy, I know what you’re going through,” Alcazar said. “Today I am the luckiest guy because I not am visiting any of my close friends, family or clients in the hospital or morgue. None of these great cars are worth someone’s life. In my estimation as 15 years as a restorer and 15 years as an auctioneer none of these cars had terminal damage; everything can get fixed and most important, everyone is safe.” Alcazar went on to say that after the many times he had walked onto the auction block, this by far was the most difficult time he ever had to do it.
On Friday, the Fire Marshal closed the auction site pending ongoing inspection after severe damage to the north and south tents that housed the majority of collector cars. After close inspection on Saturday morning, the Scottsdale fire marshal provided Russo and Steele clearance to open to the public on Sunday.
“The City of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Police Department and Scottsdale Fire Department have taken great measures to ensure the safety of our clients, employees and the general public,” said Alcazar “It is because of their proactive response, combined with the efforts of the Russo and Steele staff, to evacuate the tents that no injuries were sustained, and everyone in attendance remained safe.”
Late Thursday afternoon the City of Scottsdale Flood Planning Department notified the company of a potential flooding hazard, but allowed the site to remain open due to Russo and Steele’s due diligence in securing several industrial water pumps to remove excess water from the site. At that point several hundred feet of commercial concrete barricades were ordered to further secure the auction tents from potential flooding. As the wind worsened Alcazar consulted with Tom Abrams from Reliable Carriers who sent multiple semi trucks to block the impending wind. As the storm continued to strengthen Russo and Steele staff, in cooperation with Scottsdale public safety officials including police and fire, determined that the two automobile tents should be closed to the public. The automobile tents were evacuated 45 minutes prior to the gust of wind that ultimately sent debris towards the Loop 101 freeway. After the first two tents were evacuated the main auction tent remained open for an additional 20 minutes but was then
