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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Negotiator in John's Oyster Bar demolition sues to recover fees

The former John's Oyster Bar and later Immanuel Baptist Church building in Galveston was demolished in February 2009.

GALVESTON – Galveston attorney Cris A. Rasco seeks to recover around $8,000 for negotiating a demolition with the city of Galveston for investors Robin Parsley and Scott Chandler.

In a lawsuit filed Feb. 14 in Galveston County Court at Law No. 1, Rasco alleges Parsley and Chandler failed to pay him despite hiring him to secure a demolition permit for a historic building on the city's West End.

The defendants wanted to tear down the former John's Oyster Bar after Hurricane Ike in September 2008. According to a July 23, 2008, article in the Galveston Daily News, Parsley's company, Endeavor Lofts Galveston, planned a large-scale condominium, marina and retail project along the island's Offatts Bayou.

However, the flamingo-pink stucco structure built in 1928 was being considered for a historical designation. That designation would have prevented destruction of the structure that last housed Immanuel Baptist Church.

The investors then sought Rasco's assistance, the suit states.

According to the original petition, Rasco had expertise with municipal government and familiarity with the historical preservation process.

The building was razed in February 2009, but Rasco alleges he still has not been paid by Parsley and Chandler.

According to court papers: "The plaintiff has made multiple verbal and written demands for payment to the defendants. The defendants have failed, and continued to fail, to pay any of the amount currently owed to plaintiff."

The case has been assigned to Galveston County Court at Law No. 1 Judge John Grady.

Cause No. 64,700

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