LI doctor tries to best Trump's offer for mosque site

A Long Island doctor is trying to trump The Donald on the proposed Islamic center in Manhattan.

Dr. Harvey R. Manes, an orthopedic surgeon with offices in Lindenhurst, told Newsday he is prepared to fork over $9.6 million - double what the developers of the site at Park Place paid.

The deal offered by Manes, 59, was made a day after Trump offered to pay businessman Hisham Elzanaty what he invested in the Park Place deal - plus 25 percent - on the condition that the center not be built within seven blocks of Ground Zero. Trump's offer was for an estimated $6 million.

Manes made his offer in a letter dated Sept. 10. It was addressed to Elzanaty's Roslyn Heights home and a medical office he has in the Bronx where Manes once worked.

"I am willing to offer 9.6 million dollars, which is twice the price that you and your partners have paid," said the Manes letter, a copy of which he sent to Newsday.

Manes said he wants to house his American Peace Prize Foundation in the structure. The organization's website says it has set up a prize for U.S. residents who support peace.

Elzanaty's Manhattan attorney Wolodymyr Starosolsky confirmed his client and Manes worked together at the Bronx medical facility.

But while the attorney last week labeled Trump's bid as a publicity stunt, he wouldn't comment about any offers Elzanaty has received for the building.

"Mr. Elzanaty said he is receiving all sorts of offers but is not going to comment," Starosolsky said. "At the present he is not giving the matter of offers he has received his full attention."

According to Starosolsky, Elzanaty is a businessman who put up a majority of the $4.8-million purchase price of the Park Place building.

But a spokesman for Soho Properties, which is run by Islamic center backer Sharif El-Gamal, insisted last week that the company controls the real estate.

Manes said Thursday he would also be addressing his offer to Soho Properties.

Manes said he has made a great deal of money in real estate and has the cash needed to make a deal.