With a last-minute counteroffer in hand, Ocean City officials this week directed their attorney to continue negotiating the purchase of four downtown parcels for the creation of a public parking lot, but with a plan to begin the eminent domain process if an agreement is not reached by July 20.
On Tuesday, just hours before the Ocean City Council was set to discuss eminent domain proceedings for the acquisition of 205, 207, 209 and 211 Philadelphia Avenue, property owner Tony Mariani, through his attorney, presented City Solicitor Heather Stansbury with what she described as a “much higher” counteroffer than what was initially agreed upon during negotiations this spring.
With hopes that the city could reach some sort of agreement, the council on Tuesday voted 5-0, with Councilman Peter Buas absent, to have Stansbury resume negotiations, with a plan to present an ordinance for eminent domain at the council’s July 20 regular meeting if those negotiations go unanswered.
“We’ll try to avoid that and work with them directly,” Councilman John Gehrig said. “But the option still remains.”