Extra parking in the West End?

The West End of Long Beach may have an additional 10 parking spaces if the city goes forward in acquiring a vacant lot using eminent domain.

According to city officials, M&T Land Inc. bought the commercial property, at 835 W. Beech St. and Nebraska Street, in August 2004 and received a variance to use it to build two one-family homes. But the houses were never built, and City Manager Charles Theofan said the owners have since disappeared and the property is in foreclosure.

Theofan said the city has attempted to contact M&T Land with official letters sent to two addresses on file, but both were returned.

“The holders of the mortgage that have been looking for the principals of that company have told me they are absolutely nowhere to be found,” Theofan said of the group of private investors that hold the $360,000 mortgage. “They’ve looked long and hard.”

Erwin Pitnick, one of the investors who Theofan said was representing the group, did not return calls for comment.

The city is waiting for Powers and Marshall Associates of Mineola to complete a review appraisal to determine the worth of the property, which comprises two lots. “I am very confident that we could both acquire the property and pave the lot for under the $250,000 that Senator Skelos has gotten for us,” Theofan said.

Senator Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) acquired a $250,000 grant for the city in 2004 for the purchase and paving of a parcel at 1055 West Beech Street, owned by resident Hildegard Miller and her daughter, Wendy Hope, which would have created 21 parking spaces. Miller and Hope fought the city last year, and the plan fell through as the value of the property continued to increase, Theofan said.

“I think your convenience is worth $25,000 per spot,” Theofan told residents at a West End Neighbors Civic Association meeting on Aug. 26, a statement that was met with applause.