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. City officials plan to partner with a developer on ways to adapt the red brick schoolhouse, like turning it into a hub for restaurants, retail, or apartments. Operatives framed the mayor in a staged hit-and-run and spread false rumors he was having an extramarital affair. They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. Scientology members have quietly spent millions in a land - MarketWatch It said information in parishioner folders is sacrosanct and claims of blackmail have long since been disproven.. A few months later, the newcomers admitted they were actually Scientology. In 1975, Scientology creator L. Ron Hubbard bought a historic hotel in downtown Clearwater. No one from the church dictates to me what to buy, what to sell, what to do.. GARCIA-NAVARRO: And I guess the larger concern is that this could really thwart the city's plans for redevelopment if the Scientologist organizations are going to have all this property that they're going to keep for their own purposes. The greatest number of properties were bought by companies controlled by either Israeli businessman Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him. The acquisitions mirror the pattern that unfolded downtown between 2017 and 2019, when companies tied to Scientology bought 100 properties within walking distance of the waterfront and the. Jim Warren has lived in Clearwater since 1995 with his wife, Cindy, and their two children, Drew and Art. GARCIA-NAVARRO: It's the type of servitude. Scientology's Presence In Clearwater, Fla. : NPR Moreover, tens of thousands of Scientologists travel to the city each year from around the world to participate in religious services at the Church's spiritual home. The gallery does not include properties bought by companies run by church members. In private meetings with council members, the Scientology leader described a plan for high-end shops, Cleveland Street facade renovations and an entertainment complex involving actor Tom Cruise, Scientologys most famous parishioner. People arrive for the celebration of the opening of the new Scientology Flag Building on November 16, 2013 in Clearwater, Scientology boasts 10million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. MCMANUS: Brokers representing these companies were approaching downtown property owners. Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. This one is owned by a parishioner who had been featured on the churchs Meet a Scientologist video series. walmart stabbing victim; google financial analyst salary london. We believe it's important to shed light on a powerful institution that's very controversial and plays a big role in our community. MCMANUS: Scientology arrived in downtown Clearwater in 1975. But its potential is still untapped, with prime vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler, a Scientologist, called and showed up to the shop a handful of times in mid-2018. Ever since Ive been here, and ever since Ive dealt with Scientology officials, I have heard the leaders articulate that they want to see a vibrant downtown, Horne said. The stick out moment, is Tom Cruise auditing Marc, and failing., The live Q & A had great questions and answers. Anonymous "members" have stated it was a great success with at least 3 Scientology members being arrested for assault, when the scientologists grabbed and attempted to remove protesters' masks. The Bon Apptit Group | Clearwater, FL 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. Scientology is a snitching culture and it's deeply embedded.) Help us keep bringing stories like this to you. The Jerry Maguire star recently purchased a two-storey penthouse in downtown Clearwater, Floridaclose to the Scientology HQ. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth." Scientologists from across the globe make pilgrimages to the campus, called Flag. Seventy-three percent of the property is tax-exempt for religious purposes. The Fort Harrison Hotel serves as the flagship building of the Flag Land Base, the Church of Scientology 's spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, US. Flag is run by the churchs full-time workforce, the Sea Org, whose members sign billion-year contracts and work around the clock. In summer 2018, Fischler walked into Bob Lees Auto Repair on Park Street to make owner Dennis Bosi an offer. Masked protesters target Scientology's 'tactics', page 1 hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. '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. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. 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. 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 . This Gulfport 14-year-old, The death of Dilbert and the art vs. the artist | Letters. 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.. The impact is clearest in the heart of downtown. 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. TIN CAN CAFE, Clearwater - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor Though most of the representatives of the 32 companies who purchased the downtown real estate in the past few years, few gave comment on their purchase and claimed Scientology wasnt a factor in the land buy. Clearwater is the center of that revenue stream. About $15.9 million was paid in cash. He owns Stonebridge Real Estate and served as president of the Florida Gulfcoast Commercial Association of Realtors in 2017. The analysis considered property within the general boundaries of Cedar Street to the north, Missouri Avenue to the east, Chestnut Street to the south and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. They come from all walks of life, professions and ethnic groups. DeSantis vetoed a $1M Day of Service program that was worth so much more | Column, DeSantis calls for open market to compete with Advanced Placement, Supreme Court weighs Biden student loan plan worth billions, Maple Leafs: Lightning, other division rivals did not spur deal, The youngest Grand Prix of St. Petersburg driver? The churchs hostility toward the public became clear from its first days in the city in fall 1975. 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. Trish Duggan and the $114 Million in Clearwater Real Estate Purchases 'There is nothing unnatural about Scientologists wanting to live in the same city that houses the international spiritual headquarters of their church,' a letter signed by Scientology attorney Gary Soter to the Times said. Welcome. Tom Cruise, a devout follower of Scientology, has been effectively 'homeless' since he put his homes in California and New York on the marketearning GBP 41.5million ($55 million) in the process. Among them: make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. The only thing you see is the Scientology minions ." Irwin said the church members are spotted wearing "brown dress . Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. I believe its irrational to buy property and not fully utilize it.. At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. 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. Did you do your taxes? 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 as he looked at a map of downtowns new ownership. A Guide to Scientology's Most Ostentatious Real Estate - Gizmodo Lares and his wife, Emily, sold the diner inside a decade ago. From $150.62 per night. I agree, the blog has a limited purpose, Super excellent, really great chemistry, so enjoyable to watch. 325 . And he was going to build an entertainment complex with Tom Cruise. Paper: Scientologists buy dozens of properties in Clearwater The family of Moises Agami, a developer whose companies bought 20 storefronts and a parking lot last year, has donated at least $10 million. how to create a signature in outlook 365; hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. What Clearwaters City Council thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings. Scientology in Clearwater Big Brother is Watching You. The only record of redevelopment that has occurred among the 45 properties is a roof replacement on a vacant building on North Fort Harrison Avenue and internal demolition in a former flooring center two blocks north, according to notices in Pinellas County records. Concerned he wouldnt be able to pay his mortgage, Argall said he deeded the building, appraised at $780,000, back to the previous owner. Fischler did not respond to phone messages, a certified letter or a note left at her condo. Scientologists began to purchase properties through limited liability companies which are required by law to disclose their operators but not their owners. Revealed: The top 10 fastest-growing destinations for UK pensioners retiring overseas. The more its isolated and doesnt have people who are non-Scientologists around the area, the better.. The Church of Scientology offered $15 . what does holetta mean in polish renault clio steering wheel controls not working hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. 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. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. Weve spent a lot of happy years here, Lares said. 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. 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. Did you check your W-2? The companies paid a combined $11.8 million in cash for 28 undeveloped parcels, five empty commercial buildings and a dozen homes in the district, most of them dilapidated. 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 . Gulf Coast Marine and ClearwaterPlumbing. The campus collects millions each week through fundraising and payments for expensive courses and high-level religious counseling not offered anywhere else. Run away!!! The few willing to answer questions said Scientology has no influence on their real estate dealings. ', 'Ever since Ive been here, and ever since Ive dealt with Scientology officials, I have heard the leaders articulate that they want to see a vibrant downtown,,' Longtime City Manager Bill Horne, who wanted to turn downtown into a mall and entertainment center, said. Facebook. Im concerned, Mayor Frank Hibbard said. You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear, he said, so its tough to make economic sense out of it.. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. 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. Argall left the church and was forced to abandon his business of more than 20 years.
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