A newspaper report says the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members spent more than $100 million over the past three years buying up huge sections of downtown Clearwater. But on days with no events, downtown feels deserted. The reason lies in rising tensions between the church and the Clearwater City Council. On Sept. 7, Epsteins employee was removed from the corporate filings of the company that own the land. 1,915 reviews. Letsgetstarted. The goal was to capture the area immediately surrounding both Scientologys headquarters, City Hall and the city-owned waterfront. Most did not respond or declined to comment. Review. In 1975, Scientology creator L. Ron Hubbard bought a historic hotel in downtown Clearwater. The lack of action from Scientology-tied buyers has precedent. They cant even fix their own families. For the first time, a majority of the boards members will be Scientologists. 21 day forecast key west, florida. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. I'm glad you brought this up! Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. Once we dug into the data and pulled records, we found that LLCs tied to the Church of Scientology had bought about 100 properties. Shephard's Beach Resort. 'Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. And the tactics they were using to establish area control included infiltration, spying, smearing enemies. What a difference in Mike from then and now., The Q&A session began at 2PM. MCMANUS: Well, our reporting shows that Scientology has a big interest in preserving its downtown campus. Best Clearwater hotels Most recommended Clearwater hotels Clearwater Inn $27+ Free Wi-Fi Sonesta Simply Suites Clearwater 8.1 Very good $157+ Parking Free Wi-Fi Pool Pet friendly Courtyard St. Petersburg Clearwater 8.9 Very good $340+ Parking Airport shuttle Free Wi-Fi Pool Extended Stay America Suites - St Petersburg - Clearwater - Executive Dr Not so shipshape! According to court records, Andrus accompanied two guards as they handcuffed and gagged the man, dragged him into a car and drove him to a hideout, where he was held for a month before escaping. Log in, If the org slumps during this transition period, don't engage in "fund raising" This Gulfport 14-year-old, The death of Dilbert and the art vs. the artist | Letters. The church stopped communicating with the city. During spiritual counseling, parishioners are interrogated about their deepest secrets, which are recorded in folders and stored indefinitely. Andrus involvement in Scientology goes back decades and includes his participation in a plan during the 1970s to stop a church member who had spied on the federal government from turning himself in to the FBI. We've got 2511 hotels to choose from within 5 miles of Church of Scientology. Just how many is tough to fact-check due to the church's many tenuously connected affiliates . It does not include properties recently bought by companies run by church members. Then he would try again, with new council members. Following a fallout with the City Council, Scientologists started to buy downtown property - $103million worth to be exact - at an unprecedented rate and now the church and its members own185 properties that cover 101 acres of downtown. She reported full-time for six months, interviewing more than 90 people and reviewing more than 1,000 documents, to bring you this story. Jim is a nationally known artist. But after he forwarded an email critical of the organization in 2012 to another parishioner, the church began an excommunication process that would have forced his partner of 24 years to stop working with him and his tenants to move out. When I have to go to that area, and see them in crowds moving from building to building doing their work ( whatever that is) I think of cockroaches, like whatever you do . in positive and negative effects of coca cola. Those six lots were bought in November 2020 by a limited liability company then-managed by an employee of CA South, a Nashville-based real estate firm founded by Megan Epstein and advised by her husband, Stephen Epstein, both members of Scientology. The Boca Raton Beach Club. GARCIA-NAVARRO: It's the type of servitude. Among them: make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. In 1975, Scientology creator L. Ron Hubbard bought a historic hotel in downtown Clearwater. But in the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. He is not listed on the corporate filings for any of the eight limited liability companies that recently bought the North Marina properties. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth." Now, companies connected to the Church of Scientology are buying tracts of land within the 55-acre district and not disclosing what they plan to do with them. But,so far, there have been only 4 comments posted to, It was fantastic stream! Many of their properties weren't listed for sale. Some of the parishioners have a history of working on Scientologys behalf. It's GRAYGATE! Just make more income with Scientology. 619 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767-2643. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard had written about doing away with governments and replacing them with a Scientology-run society. June 9, 2022. CLEARWATER, Fla. In this small beachside community sits a 1.4-acre patch of dirt that has become a flash point in a fight between church and state. Half the properties were bought since January 2017. According to a new report by The Tampa Bay Times, the Church of Scientology and related entities now own over $260 million of property in downtown Clearwater. They spent $6.5 million to renovate the public Seminole Boat Ramp, a popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the citys commitment. And half the sales were for more than double what the properties were valued by the county property appraiser, the Times found. Fischler did not respond to phone messages, a certified letter or a note left at her condo. Audited NOTs (NOT stands for NED [New Era Dianetics] Operating Thetan) In response to detailed memos summarizing the reporting, the church criticized the Times for portraying its members as mindless robots and for having a preconceived agenda to present every Scientology story in a false and unfavorable light.. Graphics by ELI MURRAY Scientology is all I have to say, There are no pros that unless you are a Scientologist. And the properties cover about 100 acres. He called the Tampa Bay Times questions about parishioners activity not just stupid, false and offensive, but un-American., You talk out of both sides of your mouth: If redevelopment is being done by the city or a member of another religion, not Scientology, it is good; if redevelopment is being done by a Scientologist, it is bad, Shaw said. 9,523 Scientologists live in the Tampa Bay area. It is headed by David Miscavige [1] . Im concerned, Mayor Frank Hibbard said. A deserted coin laundry. Bosi wasnt interested. Church officials used a straw corporation to buy the historic Fort Harrison Hotel and moved in under a fake name. Hamilton, who owns the Palm Pavilion on Clearwater Beach, said if he was going to buy a piece of commercial property, then he would have plans for it before he acquired it and would head straight. Critics of the church say that the Scientology bought the downtown properties to keep the public at bay. 'I dont mix my personal business with other areas in my life,'Terri Novitsky, a Scientologist who manages a company that bought two office buildings on Chestnut Street in 2017, said. The most widely publicized death of one of the organization's members was that of 36-year-old Lisa McPherson while in the care of Scientologists at the Scientology-owned Fort Harrison Hotel, in Clearwater, Florida, in 1995.. What religion is Scientology similar to? You'll find plenty of sites, activities, and attractions to explore near our pet-friendly Clearwater hotel, including downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg, which is only 30 minutes away, Celebration Station, Honeymoon Island State Park, Clearwater Beach, Caladesi Island State Park, and Busch Gardens. Nearly all of the roughly two dozen people listed as operating the companies are Scientologists. I had to make a decision, Bosi said. Times Staff WritersOct. Buy up as much property as they can for the church whether they use it or not, whether they let it sit there and rot so no one else can be there,'Tom De Vocht, a former Scientology executive who oversaw the churchs property in Clearwater from 1996 to 2001, said. Scientologys survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater. is saying oh my goodness a sin in islam. When the council voted to buy the property, the chamber erupted in applause. It set aside $10 million for secret real estate purchases in Clearwater. Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. The memos were later seized by the FBI. New Pasco County commissioner accused of faking his residency, Guide to Plant Citys Strawberry Festival, one of the largest festivals in the nation, Gov. All 45 North Marina properties were purchased by companies managed or operated by two longtime members of Scientology: Steven Hayes, an attorney who has done legal work on behalf of church related organizations for more than two decades, and Norm Novitsky, a businessperson who has donated at least $5 million to Scientology. What Clearwaters City Council thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings. Save. A buyer, whose identity Chesney never learned, agreed to his asking price without countering $1 million cash for the adjoining parcels, which was four times the value set by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser. Project Normandy was described in one of hundreds of internal memos Scientology officials exchanged about their plans to infiltrate and control Clearwater. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. Agami also signed two more leases on the same block with restaurants owned by people not connected to the church. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler, a Scientologist, called and showed up to the shop a handful of times in mid-2018. I mean, how big is the Church of Scientology where you are? William Faulkner, "The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual's own reason and critical analysis." The city has no record yet of redevelopment plans being submitted for any of the North Marina properties since the purchases began, according to planning and development director Gina Clayton. Has the Church of Scientology ever killed anyone? My plan is to keep renting, Huestler said. Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said in a statement that the church is not involved with the acquisitions. Florida Hotels and Places to Stay. For Sale: 500000 - Residential, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,315 sqft at 1359 HOWARD STREET in Clearwater South. In September, Andrus completed construction there on Marina Bay 880, two towers that hug the marina with 87 luxury condos and amenities like an Olympic-sized pool and sauna. Charles 'will NEVER build real relationship with Archie and Lili unless Harry and Meghan get new royal 'Putin has STOLEN our Ukrainian children': Distraught parents tell how THOUSANDS of youngsters never EMILY PRESCOTT: Sarah Ferguson 'confused' after seeing photos from goddaughter's wedding she thought she was Joe Biden is 'unlikely' to attend King Charles' coronation due to Ireland trip - despite promising to A 14-year-old autistic boy's naive prank. Andrus helped carry out a plan to stop a Scientologist who had spied on the federal government from turning himself in to the FBI. Scientology leader David Miscavige pictured above. Your email address will not be published. Scientology proposed a major redevelopment project meant to lure in new business to the empty stores in the citys waterfront area and near the churchs headquarters, but the council interfered, botching plans for a land deal that the church wanted for its expansion plan. In summer 2017, Mark Searcy, a longtime Clearwater real estate agent who is not a Scientologist, assembled a 1-acre site by getting the owners of three adjoining properties to agree to sell. Defectors have said they were paid less than $50 a week. Then in 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate. Seventy-three percent of the property is tax-exempt for religious purposes. The Church of Scientology has firmly made Clearwater, Floridaits home in the blink of an eye - shelling out $103million to sweep up 101 acres of the city's waterfront downtown area over the course of three years. Copyright 2019 NPR. About $15.9 million was paid in cash. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront, putting the secretive church firmly in control of the areas future. Scientology founderL. Ron Hubbard called Clearwater its spiritual headquarters. Did you do your taxes? Companies controlled by Hayes have bought about half the property on Rices block and nearly the entire block directly south. . The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. It was owned by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. In summer 2018, Fischler walked into Bob Lees Auto Repair on Park Street to make owner Dennis Bosi an offer. Its members bought property on surrounding blocks. The church, its members and companies they control now own 185 properties that cover 101 acres in the center of downtown. But its potential is still untapped, with prime vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor. The most widely publicized death of one of the organization's members was that of 36-year-old Lisa McPherson while in the care of Scientologists at the Scientology-owned Fort Harrison Hotel, in Clearwater, Florida, in 1995.. What religion is Scientology similar to? I dont know what their plan is.. You will discover the facts for yourself when you read that article; it provides the real answer as to what has happened with downtown revitalizationand how that revitalization was torpedoed by the Times. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with reporter Tracey McManus. The Church's celebrity members Tom Cruise and John Travolta are known to have estates near Clearwater as well. Toni Says: What is Medicares creditable prescription drug coverage? TRACEY MCMANUS: Hi, Lulu. The churchs influence comes from its massive wealth, estimated around $3billion in cash and assets, collected from devoted followers. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has bought 60 properties in Pinellas County under its name: 58 are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown. Facebook. They envisioned apartment buildings with ground-floor stores, winding paths with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and a concert venue that would draw visitors from across the region. Both have been there for decades. The church offered $15 million for the parcel. It also operates the Fairfield Inn & Suites on Clearwater Beach. Construction on eight townhomes on the south end of the marina began Oct. 1, according to county records. Visit hotel website. The Church was unaware of the significant number of properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information, the letter continued. ), Clear Takeover: How Scientology doubled its downtown Clearwater footprint in 3 years, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover. Share. Karl Heinz Riedl, ("Chef Karl"), is the co-owner of Bon Appetit Group. Longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church wants the same thing. The Church of Scientology and companies run by its members spent $103 million over the past three years buying up vast sections of downtown Clearwater. Scientologists began to purchase properties through limited liability companies which are required by law to disclose their operators but not their owners. He saw the area improve when police cracked down on drugs and prostitution decades ago. Both are supposed to open soon. A lot of them are vacant lots, vacant buildings, empty storefronts. There's parishioners that come here from all over the world to take courses in high level auditing that's not offered anywhere else. Gulf Coast Marine and ClearwaterPlumbing. A few weeks later, John Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22 years. The Jerry Maguire star recently purchased a two-storey penthouse in downtown Clearwater, Floridaclose to the Scientology HQ. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Explain to me why the paper has a Scientology reporter. Non-Scientologists who get too close are a threat to the operation, said Mat Pesch, who spent 27 years in the Sea Org and worked as Flags treasury secretary before defecting in 2005. Its a business, Pesch said. Times reporters built a database of hundreds of properties in the center of Clearwaters downtown. The church bought the 220-room hotel secretly in 1975, and since then, it has witnessed a number of unusual deaths. They include consumer products, a lighting manufacturer, development firms, fitness, advertising and marketing, environmental services and financial advisers. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. what does holetta mean in polish renault clio steering wheel controls not working hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. Scientology leader David Miscavige had his own redevelopment plan. by . There comes a time when silence is betrayal. - Martin Luther King Jr. Communication is the universal solvent - L Ron Hubbard, When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon. Thomas Paine, "Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. Wayne E. Lee ran his Auto Parts Distributors business on Park Street since 1982. They were very secretive, he said. Even as Scientologys footprint expanded, and nearby Clearwater Beach became one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, downtown businesses struggled to stay open. After the City Council voted to buy the lot in April 2017, Miscavige refused to talk to city officials for the next two and a half years. Religious Technology Center (RTC) is the primary manager of Scientology intellectual property.
