York moves closer to razing 'dangerous' Pizza by Paras building: No word from owner

YORK, Maine — The building at 16 Railroad Ave., once home to Pizza by Paras, could be torn down in June, according to town officials.

The 60-day period following the Selectboard’s finding the building is dangerous under state law will be up by the end of May, York Town Manager Peter Joseph told the board Monday night. What remains will be finding a contractor to complete the demolition Selectboard members have said they hope to see.

Town officials have not heard from the owner of the building, listed as Eleni Paras, whose son Spiro Paras said is visiting her ailing sister in Greece. Spiro Paras declined to speak on the record about the likely demolition.

York Department of Public Works crews have repaired the foundation of Johnny’s Candy Corner, which they say was impacted by ongoing unpermitted work at the Pizza by Paras building. Owner Johnny Biagioni said he is glad the work is done, but hopes the demolition of the Pizza by Paras building will happen sooner rather than later.

“I hope it doesn’t come to a close in July when we’re busy,” Biagioni said.

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The 60-day period preceding the coming demolition began March 25 when the Selectboard voted to find the building at 16 Railroad Ave. dangerous under state law. The board decided to wait 60 days to allow for legal notices to be printed in the newspaper to notify the owner of the pending demolition, as is required by law.

What led to the decision to demolish the deteriorating building was unpermitted work by the owners that affected the foundation of Johnny's Candy Corner.

York Beach fire Capt. Dave Osgood testified work done over the years has compromised the Paras building, including the removal of key structural elements. He said the staircase to the basement was pulled out at one point, removing a portion of the building that is critical to hold it up.

The building also has sections of completely missing floorboards, lacks drywall, has no working sanitation rooms, and an illegal deck built without permits, officials said.

The building has not been open as a pizzeria since 2010.

Joseph said Tuesday that an initial search for contractors to perform the demolition was unsuccessful, and a wider net has since been cast. He said town code enforcement officer Harry Norton had scheduled a meeting with prospective contractors, which includes a site visit to determine if the work can be completed in June.

Joseph noted that while the cost of the work is still undetermined, any expenses incurred will be covered by the property owners. He said the Selectboard would be able to impose a special assessment on the property that would require the debt to be repaid.

“We’ll have the ability to recover ourselves through an assessment,” Joseph said.

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The town and Pizza by Paras owners have been at odds over 16 Railroad Ave. for 14 years due to unpermitted work on the building.

Town officials say the fact work on the Paras property affected the Candy Corner's foundation created a new urgency to address the building.

Selectboard Chair Todd Frederick said while demolition is not the board’s desired result, the town had no other option. He said the owners had a chance to communicate why the building should not be torn down and didn't.

A Stratham, New Hampshire-based structural engineer, Fred Emmanuel, appeared to speak at the March 25 hearing and asked the board on behalf of the owner to halt the demolition. However, he could not provide written proof he was authorized to speak for the family. Emmanuel did not return a call Tuesday seeking comment.

“It’s unfortunate,” Frederick said, “but I think the town has extended every courtesy.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York inches closer to razing 'unsafe' Pizza by Paras building