And it's also basically the financial nucleus of the entire organization. The church promised to spend $55 million. The greatest number of properties were bought by companies controlled by either Israeli businessman Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him. This gallery shows all 60 properties Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas county and six additional retail properties the church acquired through limited liability companies in 2017. We own a tremendous amount of material and so forth, and it keeps growing. Scientology Businesses in Clearwater - Mike Rinder Then the council interfered with a land deal that Scientology demanded for its plan. Visit hotel website. Church of Scientology buying up downtown Clearwater, Florida 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 . hornitos tequila vs patron. Audited NOTs (NOT stands for NED [New Era Dianetics] Operating Thetan) That's the findings of a story in the Tampa Bay Times that's headlined clear takeover. And it's all surrounding the city's downtown waterfront. Defectors have said they were paid less than $50 a week. So we kept our eye on the downtown purchases. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater The Church of Scientology acquired the building in 2017 as part of its downtown redevelopment plan. They adopted a master plan in 2016 that envisioned housing, a hotel and shopping to complement what they hope will be Clearwaters revitalized downtown less than a mile to the south. GARCIA-NAVARRO: That's Tracey McManus, who reports on Scientology for the Tampa Bay Times, talking about the church's increased real estate footprint in Clearwater, Fla. But on the notice filed with Pinellas County for the roof replacement at 801 N Fort Harrison Ave., Andrus signed his name as a manager of the company that owns the building. June 22, 2022; Posted by . Scientologist Stu Sjouwerman Plans a $100 Million NASDAQ IPO for His The city and the church fought in court for years. They also pointed to the latest edition of their Freedom magazine for what they called an accurate portrayal of the church and its members in Clearwater. Hubbard had a vision of making Clearwater a spiritual home for his Church of Scientology. Scientologists from across the globe make pilgrimages to the campus, called Flag. MCMANUS: Brokers representing these companies were approaching downtown property owners. But they werent ready to sell the building, which they had owned for 27 years. I think it's comparable to say it's kind of, like, if there were to be a Vatican reporter in Vatican City. Can you give me a sense of the scale and how they have made this happen with the relatively little fanfare over the years? Ron DeSantis on Monday undid a looming $1.2 billion tax hike on Central Florida residents that he inadvertently imposed a year ago in a hastily passed bill meant to punish Walt Disney Co. for criticizing his so-called "Don't Say Gay" law. Clearwater leaders growing impatient with Church of Scientology Interactive map reveals when you may see SNOW, Kate Garraway reveals Derek's heartbreaking words when they thought he had just minutes left to live. After the Times reported the purchases, Miscavige acknowledged the properties were bought for a second revitalization strategy one devised by the church. 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. 'Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. Seventy-one percent of the 60 parcels the Church of Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas County are tax-exempt for religious purposes. Scientology founderL. Ron Hubbard called Clearwater its spiritual headquarters. Mayor George Cretekos listens at a City Council meeting in April 2017 as residents pushed the council to purchase a vacant lot that Scientology also wanted. Construction on eight townhomes on the south end of the marina began Oct. 1, according to county records. He wanted the council to stop trying to buy a vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. TIN CAN CAFE, Clearwater - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor We don't know if they're just going to continue to squat on them - because they haven't done anything yet. And the properties cover about 100 acres. Scientology is all I have to say, There are no pros that unless you are a Scientologist. City Council member Mark Bunker said although the church is not the official buyer of the downtown and North Marina properties, there is reason to believe Scientology leader David Miscavige is orchestrating the parishioner-operated companies making the acquisitions. When will the Beast from the East be at YOUR door? Jim Huestler is the blocks only holdout with a rental home on the northeast corner. There's parishioners that come here from all over the world to take courses in high level auditing that's not offered anywhere else. It also operates the Fairfield Inn & Suites on Clearwater Beach. Seven businesses have left following recent purchases, and at least three more are leaving this year, including Clearwater Plumbing and Gulf Coast Marine. The Mission: Impossible - Fallout star plans to call an elaborate penthouse, complete with a private swimming pool and garden, his new home. Scientology's Presence In Clearwater, Fla. : NPR The Church's celebrity members Tom Cruise and John Travolta are known to have estates in Clearwater not far from the Scientology headquarters. That's the HQ of Scientology. In a letter, the church said the Times is misinterpreting Scientology policy and that other religions also practice shunning. Designer Rebecca Minkoff's involvement in a Scientology front is pretty Do I spend another 10 years and see what happens in downtown Clearwater?, Scientology, Pinellas County and Clearwater Reporter. 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. They have completed courses and spiritual counseling that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The Tampa Bay Times reported that the church, including members and employees, now own 185 properties that encompass more than 101 acres in downtown Clearwater, located west of Tampa and sitting. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What do you mean billion year contracts? Copyright 2019 NPR. You are a fundamentalist Scientologist, or youre not one at all.. Huestler said broker Terri Novitsky calls him every now and again to see if hed be interested in selling. Hes still holding out. 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. Fuster and Ozsan go back a long way to Altea Real Property Ltd. in London. Toxic trauma expert Gabor Mate diagnoses Prince Harry with attention deficit disorder but tells him it CAN 'I felt different to the rest of my family - and my mum felt the same': Prince Harry opens up on his 'broken 'He's completely beige drained of all his feisty ginger life-blood': JULIE BURCHILL'S verdict on Prince 'I was a bit of a mess': Amanda Abbington reveals she considered suicide after split from ex Martin Freeman DR ELLIE CANNON: My breast has not got lumps but it's itchy, should I be concerned about cancer at age 72? Dozens of residents showed up to speak. Ive been waiting for this neighborhood to clean up for 30 years, and I still think its around the corner, Rice said. CONNIE HUMBURG, TRACEY McMANUS, ELI MURRAY, ELI ZHANG | Times. Scientologys international spiritual headquarters is anchored by the Flag Building, on left. The Church of Scientology wanted a vacant lot. So did the city of Scientologists Increase Their 'Mecca' on Florida Waterfront Graphics by ELI MURRAY You have well connected, https://m.facebook.com/jobs/job-opening/332924608432320/, Scientology a cult of lies scientology a cult of lies, https://www.mikerindersblog.org/scientology-businesses-in-clearwater/, Dealing With Scientology Critics - L Ron Hubbard Playbook, Buzzazz Business Solutions (Keanan Kintzel), Consumer Sales Solutions (Tom Cummins and Jim Bridgeforth), MGE Management Experts (Luis Colon, Greg Winteregg), Nelson Construction and Renovations (Gregory Nelson), NTC Nationwide Title Clearing (John Hillman, Todd Kugler, Norm Novitsky), Root Cause Medical Clinic (Rick and Vikki Petersen), Ted McGrath Brands (Jasmin Napier daughter-in-law of Mike Napier), The Tub Guy (Randy and Molly Baxter, she is the former CO FOLO EUS), Silkin Management Group (located in Portland OR), USA Tree Service LLC (Jim and Karen Kettner). It's not clear how many followers are based in Clearwater. Source: Lived in Florida for 15 . Does scientology have a bible? - sdnimik.bluejeanblues.net Not so shipshape! Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter. And the mayor. Times reporters built a database of hundreds of properties in the center of Clearwaters downtown. 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. When buildings get important to us, for God sakes, some of you born revolutionists will you please blow up central headquarters". $500,000 USD: Your Dream Florida Home with heated Pool is within Reach! Instead, the aquarium sold it to the city in April 2017 for a lot less $4.25 million. And he was going to recruit high-end retail to some of the empty storefronts because downtown Clearwater's pretty depressed. Five unexpected signs in your 20s and 30s you're at risk of developing heart disease later in life. CLEARWATER Ed Chesney had two rental homes and two vacant lots in the North Marina Area on the market for a year before his real estate agent called in late 2019 with good news. Visitors walk through downtown on a Friday. Argall left the church and was forced to abandon his business of more than 20 years. Save. 'The logical conclusion is Scientology must have some sort of a game plan in mind, but theyre not public with what it is,' City Council member Hoyt Hamilton said. Tyler Rice has run Carillon Flooring Center on North Fort Harrison for 30 years, the business his father started there in 1964. Shahab and Catherine Emrani who manage companies that purchased four commercial buildings, retail space in a condo and vacant land have given at least $1.75 million to the church. Conspiracy theories are nothing new when it comes to the Church of Scientology. Never seen anything like it': Medics and care workers hits back at Matt Hancock by revealing Rishi Sunak told Matt Hancock that Dominic Cummings' time in Downing Street was 'a nightmare', new WhatsApp Madonna's Skid Row brother: For years the superstar, 64, was accused of shunning him. I had to make a decision, Bosi said. Has the Church of Scientology ever killed anyone? The Fort Harrison Hotel is located steps from Clearwater City Hall, close to the downtown waterfront area,. Over the next four decades, the church gradually amassed 58 properties in Clearwater under its name, 49 of them downtown. By then, he had found an auto garage he could buy in Dunedin. Then in 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate. (Everything owned by parishioner-run companies is still on the tax rolls. Most of the sales have not previously been reported. The churchs campus grew slowly over decades. 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. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So tell me about these land purchases. Disloyalty has life-changing consequences. It is now 6PM. 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. But companies controlled by different parishioners bought neighboring properties that create clear assemblages of land. 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. Tom De Vocht, a former Scientology executive who oversaw the church's property in Clearwater from 1996 to 2001, said he believes Scientology is responding to the city's efforts by creating a. AND it is NOT in a Flood Zone! February 27, 2023 7:03 PM. We've got 2511 hotels to choose from within 5 miles of Church of Scientology. Review. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater hotels owned by Log in, If the org slumps during this transition period, don't engage in "fund raising" Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. Boca Raton, FL . Looking at the Times map of the new ownership, City Council member David Allbritton recalled a moment from 2017 that now seems telling. The church offered $15 million for the parcel. the Church of Scientology and Clearwater is incapable of being an honest hard-working partner with the city of Clearwater in revitalizing this town it's not possible because it's against their fundamental best interests this is the reason all of the Scientologists in the in Clearwater were instructed by the Office of Special Affairs to . The plan. They spent $6.5 million to renovate the public Seminole Boat Ramp, a popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the citys commitment. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? But in the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. If it is boring you, please dont waste your time coming here. I dont know what their plan is.. srini devadas linkedin But just how has the church expanded at such an alarming rate? The majority of this property now stands vacant, and given the Church's tax exempt status, has limitless potential for development. Leading up to the waterfront, 22 of the first 33 buildings now have ties to Scientology. A broker who was a Scientologist approached a downtown property owner. Hotel in Clearwater, FL | Rodeway Inn Official Site | Rodeway Inn Tracey McManus is a Scientology reporter for the paper, and she joins us now. Most of the new owners have done little with their acquisitions. His partner is Scientologist Maria Dolores Gregori Fuster. That point is brought home in an editorial ('One Community, Many Good People' ) in the new edition of our Freedom Magazine. Clearwater has been home to fellow Scientologists Tom Cruise, who lives in a downtown penthouse, and Kirstie Alley, who owns a multi-residence waterfront compound in the area. They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. It's Clearwater, FL. Scientology has said it has 10 million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. MCMANUS: Scientology arrived in downtown Clearwater in 1975. The most notable one is that of Lisa McPherson. He is not listed on the corporate filings for any of the eight limited liability companies that recently bought the North Marina properties.
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