'Dangerous' Pizza by Paras building demolished: Now what happens to York Beach spot?

YORK, Maine — The former Pizza by Paras building at 16 Railroad Ave. has been reduced to rubble, but now what?

Town Manager Peter Joseph said the town plans to recover its costs to demolish the dilapidated building by issuing a special tax on the property.

Code Enforcement Officer Harry Norton said the final cost is still undetermined as the demolition work is not completed. The construction bid submitted by Architectural Builders, LTD was $274,800.

The building was demolished after a 14-year dispute between the town and property owners over allegedly unpermitted work on the property. The town's Selectboard ruled the building was dangerous under state law earlier this year as unpermitted work throughout the building included the removal of key structural components. The board also said a recent excavation on the property was found to be impacting the town’s sidewalk and a neighboring property.

Joseph said the owner of the property, Eleni Paras, will have two to three years to pay the demolition costs. If the fees are not paid, a foreclosure on the property could take place.

“We hope that the fees get paid, and they can maintain ownership,” Norton said. “No matter what, you’re going to get a fee associated with tearing down a building because the taxpayers just can’t foot every bill.”

Spiro Paras, the son of the owner, said his mother was in Greece when the town decided to demolish the building and was never properly notified. He declined to answer whether he thought his family would be able to foot the bill for the demolition. Instead, he issued a statement that called the demolition “abuse” and “persecution” against his family.

“May God protect us and you from the town of York,” Spiro Paras said. “Despite all the abuse, I am truly thankful to still be alive.”

Selectboard Chair Todd Frederick has said the town followed the letter of the law in pursuing the demolition of the building. Because the town could not reach Eleni Paras, the Selectboard placed legal notices in three consecutive newspaper issues, which under state law qualifies as notice to the owner.

The board's decision to demolish the building resulted, in part, from damage to the foundation of the neighboring Johnny’s Candy Corner. Janie Biagioni, who runs Johnny’s Candy Corner with her father Johnny, said she hopes her family will be reimbursed by the Paras family for the money they had to spend to repair their building.

“I’m not rooting for anything other than us to get reimbursed for all the money that we have spent,” Biagioni said. “It’s a big chunk of money.”

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What happens if Paras family refuses to reimburse town for demolition?

Joseph said there is a lengthy process the town and Paras family will have to follow if the fee payment is not paid after the first notice goes out.

The notice will be sent to Eleni Paras after demolition work, and the lot is covered with grass seed.

When the first notice goes out, Joseph said Eleni Paras will have 30 days to make a payment before a special tax is applied. Then, he said she will have the same amount of time that all taxpayers have to pay their tax bills, which is eight months.

If the bill is not paid in that time frame, Joseph said a lien will be placed on the property. He said that would give the owner 18 months to make a payment, after which an automatic foreclosure on the property would occur.

“At any point in that time, if the special assessment, the tax, is paid, then everything is cleared,” Joseph said. “There’s plenty of time for it to settle out.”

Joseph said the town is still not sure how to reach Eleni Paras. He said he and Norton spoke with her on the phone before the demolition but not since.

However, he said, not receiving a tax bill because your out of town is not an excuse to miss paying taxes.

If foreclosure occurs, Joseph said the town will hold a competitive bidding process for someone looking to buy the property. The town would collect the amount that covers any fees, then turn the rest of the money over to the Paras family. The land was assessed in 2024 at $852,600.

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What will the future hold for prime real estate at York Beach?

The building where Pizza by Paras holds memories for locals and longtime visitors of York Beach before the day the pizzeria shuttered its doors in 2010. Lucille Mello said her daughter reminded her recently of the days when she used to take them to get pizza there.

“I said, ‘I know it was good,’” said Mello, sitting on the bench next to the Paras property. She said she has been coming to York for years for vacation from Massachusetts and it was disappointing to see the Paras building turn into an “eyesore.” She recalled the messaging that filled the windows that listed accusations of “criminal” behavior by the town.

“Every time you walked by it was like, ‘pft,’” Mello said.

Whatever is built there in the future, Mello hopes it is something that helps the beach. She would prefer not to see condos and welcomes more storefronts.

Biagioini said she has heard many people stop in her store to ask about the demolition, including many tourists who had no idea about the back story. Some come asking if a fire took place next door.

Biagioni said she hopes the property will at least remain well-kept.

“It’s OK as long as it’s flat land right now,” Biagioni said. “As long as it doesn’t end up with tents and buses and all that stuff on it.”

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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: 'Dangerous' Pizza by Paras building gone at York Beach: Now what?