Showdown on Parrott property

LYNN – A judge?s decision to allow an abandoned Parrott Street building?s demolition has not silenced accusations and counter charges traded by the building?s former owner and a city councilor.Although Superior Court and state Land Court justices did not allow Christopher Graham and John Lembidakis to regain possession of 29 Parrott St., Graham continued last week to accuse city officials and councilors of “false hopes, promises and lies.”The city took the residence on a side street off Chatham Street for nonpayment of taxes in 2011 and Lembidakis, a Saugus resident, and Graham, a Chelmsford contractor, asked councilors earlier this year to allow them to take the building back.?We did everything they asked. We?re honest guys; we?re not trying to bamboozle anybody,” Graham said.But Ward 3 Councilor Darren Cyr on Tuesday described Graham and Lembidakis as “connivers and liars” and said the pair never complied with council stipulations laid out during council meetings attended by the pair.?I was up front with them from the get-go,” Cyr said.A Superior Court judge ruled on Nov. 21 against Graham?s attempt to block the city from moving ahead with demolishing the building. Justice Maynard Kirpalani stated in his decision that Graham and Lembidakis “have not demonstrated a likelihood of success” if their attempt to block the demolition proceeded through the legal process.A state Land Court judge rejected the pair?s bid last summer to retake possession of 29 Parrott St. after city officials, including Treasurer Richard Fortucci, submitted court affidavits.?The Lynn City Council determined that the former owners lacked the financial wherewithal to redeem their property and to complete necessary repairs,” wrote Fortucci.Graham said he and Lembidakis were willing to comply with the property redemption process mapped out by city officials and maintain the property to satisfy neighbors? concerns. On Tuesday Graham said he felt the pair deserved a second chance to fix up the property they bought in 2007.?We paid cash – this was every dollar we had,” he said.Graham is exploring new legal options with his attorney to see how he and Lembidakis can regain 29 Parrott St.Cyr said 29 Parrott has deteriorated to the point where building renovation costs exceed any potential sales price for the property. He said Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development, probably in the spring, will oversee a single-family home?s construction at 29 Parrott St.The building?s demolition, Cyr said, “will be soon.”?The street has endured this dilapidated property for five or six years,” he said.