Since 2017, limited liability companies tied to the Church of Scientology have scooped up at least 100 properties on or near the downtown waterfront and approximately 60 others in residential. The Church is the largest property taxpayer in downtown Clearwater, paying nearly $1 million in property taxes last year. 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. They doubled the churchs footprint in less than three years. Made an offer. This makes no sense, except of course to a bigot.. The church also targeted the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Justice and scores of foreign governments. A broker is trying to buy the building Peter and Emily Lares have owned for decades. 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. There is nothing unnatural about Scientologists wanting to live in the same city that houses the international spiritual headquarters of their church, said a letter signed by Scientology attorney Gary Soter. 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After the Times reported the purchases, Miscavige met with city officials and acknowledged the church acquired them as part of his plan to spend $55 million renovating downtown buildings and recruiting high-end retail to empty store fronts. An empty Walgreens. Llmenos para una consulta. In 2017 the church acquired six downtown Clearwater retail properties through limited liability companies. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. Claimed. Your characterization that his religious affiliations somehow control his business activities is evidence of personal bias against his religion, Zaretsky wrote. Tal Ezra, a Scientologist who recently bought four parcels around an office where he has run his fuel management company since 2005, said hes considering office space and possibly a retail shop. I, Scientology cant clear the planet or fix every issue. The few willing to answer questions said Scientology has no influence on their real estate dealings. 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? A few months later, the newcomers admitted they were actually Scientology. Do I spend another 10 years and see what happens in downtown Clearwater?, Scientology, Pinellas County and Clearwater Reporter. A uniformed member of Scientologys full-time work force, the Sea Org, walks along N Fort Harrison Avenue, passing a vacant restaurant. You are told not to discuss politics or religion and one of the first things out of the CEO's mouth is that he is a Scientologist. 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. Can you give me a sense of the scale and how they have made this happen with the relatively little fanfare over the years? In a letter, the church said the Times is misinterpreting Scientology policy and that other religions also practice shunning. Among other things, Ozsan is, according to our source, Trish Duggan's money manager. Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said in a statement that the church is not involved with the acquisitions. There's parishioners that come here from all over the world to take courses in high level auditing that's not offered anywhere else. 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 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. . Local Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw and international spokeswoman Karin Pouw did not respond to repeated requests by the Times for an interview with Scientology leader David Miscavige. The majority of this property now stands vacant, and given the Church's tax exempt status, has limitless potential for development. Then, the . The Church of Scientology acquired the building in 2017 as part of its downtown redevelopment plan. The 1.4 acre lot was across the street from City Hall and adjacent to a 13-story Scientology religious retreat. This month, Shahab Emrani was elected to the Downtown Development Board, which helps promote downtown. Weve spent a lot of happy years here, Lares said. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. They haven't submitted redevelopment plans. City officials are suspicious that the church could be planning to do something with the land they now posses. In just three years, starting with a frantic land grab in January 2017, Scientology doubled its footprint in the city. It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. The gallery does not include properties bought by companies run by church members. MCMANUS: Well, our reporting shows that Scientology has a big interest in preserving its downtown campus. We own a tremendous amount of material and so forth, and it keeps growing. Breakfast options. They keep their operations going. An elevated walkway connects the building to the Fort Harrison Hotel, the churchs first purchase in the city in 1975. Times Staff WritersOct. Rebecca and Uri's father is Dr. David Minkoff, a physician and Church of Scientology member, who was partly implicated in Lisa McPherson's 1995 death. We don't know if they're just going to continue to squat on them - because they haven't done anything yet. Although I find Clearwater to be fairly safe, it has more crime than Naples. 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. MCMANUS: Yeah, I think that the key here is the uncertainty. Scientology founderL. Ron Hubbard called Clearwater its spiritual headquarters. Today, 10 years later, the economic influence of Scientologists in the community is commensurately higher. Answer (1 of 12): Openly, they tend to congregate around the area of downtown where they work and own most of the real estate. I think it throws a stake in it when one party owns 50 percent or so. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. 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. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Times with an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. City officials have long hoped for private investors to transform the North Marina Area, a 13-block district with undeveloped lots and 100-year-old bungalows overlooking Clearwater Harbor. 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. They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. Scientology came to downtown Clearwater in 1975. How Boris Johnson's Partygate tormentor Sue Gray is now enmeshed in her own row - as it is DAN HODGES: This grubby Sue Gray recruitment annihilates all pretence that Sir Keir Starmer is a man of 'He was a natural leader': Mourners gather for the funeral of Thai cave survivor who died aged 17 after 'You'll be missed forever': Elizabeth Hurley and son Damian share heartfelt tribute to her late ex Shane Mamma Mia! We believe it's important to shed light on a powerful institution that's very controversial and plays a big role in our community. 'Theyve got one intention, and one intention only. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. Andrus helped carry out a plan to stop a Scientologist who had spied on the federal government from turning himself in to the FBI. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What is the view of the local community? The analysis did not include residential parcels except in cases where they were bought in conjunction with commercial property or vacant land. But the aquarium rejected his bid in order to sell it to the city for $4.25 million. Eventually, open tensions faded. Its like they are trying to control the whole thing.. Graphics by ELI MURRAY The church, its members and companies they control now own 185 properties that cover 101 acres in the center of downtown. This one is owned by a parishioner who had been featured on the churchs Meet a Scientologist video series. The main reason why developers didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the Church of Scientology, Searcy said. A for-lease sign sits in long-vacant retail space at The SkyView condo tower, owned by Scientologist and developer Moises Agami. Clearwater is a beautiful town and the downtown area is now a ghost town. Hi, this is Stu, KnowBe4's CEO. Hes starting to assemble properties, Allbritton said. 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. Then in 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate. Not so shipshape! Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. and last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019. Asked directly whether Scientology orchestrated or paid for any of the sales, the church did not answer. He wanted the council to stop trying to buy a vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. Instead, the aquarium sold it to the city in April 2017 for a lot less $4.25 million. Four high-ranking defectors describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings inflicted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. 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. It teaches that expanding Scientology is key to saving the world, then wields a system of totalitarian policies to keep parishioners in line. During spiritual counseling, parishioners are interrogated about their deepest secrets, which are recorded in folders and stored indefinitely. It said information in parishioner folders is sacrosanct and claims of blackmail have long since been disproven.. And he was going to build an entertainment complex with Tom Cruise. 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. Tyler Rice has run Carillon Flooring Center on North Fort Harrison for 30 years, the business his father started there in 1964. They spent $6.5 million to renovate the public Seminole Boat Ramp, a popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the citys commitment. wolf trace homes for sale; After buying eight buildings on and around Cleveland Street in 2018, Moises Agami, a parishioner and developer, now has restaurants, shops and other businesses in 16 of those 20 storefronts. $500,000 USD: Your Dream Florida Home with heated Pool is within Reach! Conspiracy theories are nothing new when it comes to the Church of Scientology. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. #1 of 10 resorts in Clearwater. Scientologys extraordinary influence over its members has been documented in government investigations and testimony from former parishioners throughout its 65-year history. This Gulfport 14-year-old, The death of Dilbert and the art vs. the artist | Letters. Of the 100 properties bought by parishioner-managed companies near the downtown waterfront from 2017 to 2019, 24 storefronts and buildings remain empty, including a former Walgreens, an old jewelry store and prominent buildings along the North Fort Harrison corridor. Tom De Vocht, a former Scientology executive who oversaw the churchs property in Clearwater from 1996 to 2001, said he believes Scientology is responding to the citys efforts by creating a buffer to keep the public away. 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Of the $103 million spent, $99 million was paid in cash. Gulf Coast Marine and ClearwaterPlumbing. 1991: An investment firm owned by Joel Feshbach, an acknowledged Scientologist, purchased Cocolat, a West Coast candy company that was having some financial . Thank you very much. Project Normandy was described in one of hundreds of internal memos Scientology officials exchanged about their plans to infiltrate and control Clearwater. Real estate offices, vitamin shops and vacant storefronts fill prime locations that in a more vibrant downtown might hold breweries, restaurants and boutiques. 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. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth." Delk described the projects which require voter approval as key to the plans success. 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. Just make more income with Scientology. Real estate agent David Kerr represented a buyer that paid more than three times what a property was valued by the county property appraiser. I dont mix my personal business with other areas in my life, said Terri Novitsky, a Scientologist who manages a company that bought two office buildings on Chestnut Street in 2017. None of the other parishioners whose companies bought property since 2017 responded to questions about their plans. By then, the churchs intelligence unit was already deploying an elaborate scheme to establish area control in the city. Purchases in the North Marina Area took off in July 2019, three months after the City Council voted to buy the historic North Ward Elementary School across the street from the Seminole ramp and Andrus condo. 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. I had to make a decision, Bosi said. A scuffed copy of the Koran. It set aside $10 million for secret real estate purchases in Clearwater. light blockers for blinds bunnings; black and white fallacy examples in commercials; what scope do marine snipers use; does squat and cough work; hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater Some of the parishioners have a history of working on Scientologys behalf. Both have been there for decades. Walking through Clearwater people will find vacant lots, an empty former jewelry store, an dead laundromat and an abandoned Walgreens. Richard Tobias, an independent real estate appraiser in Pinellas County, said vast purchases of downtown real estate by entities tied to Scientology have cast confusion over the market. But Scientologist-controlled companies are also sitting on at least 26 vacant lots and 31 empty storefronts and offices. In Clearwater, Fla., there's been a quiet series of land purchases over the last three years, $103 million worth made by the Church of Scientology and its parishioners - a doubling of the church's footprint near its international headquarters. I'm glad you brought this up! That has led defectors from the church and city leaders to believe there is little chance parishioners are making significant real estate deals around Scientologys mecca without the churchs involvement. Real estate agent Brian Andrus controls seven properties bought around the citys public boat ramp. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. "Then we realized our hotel room must have been bugged." After bolting from the center, $23,000 poorer, the Rowes say, they were chased repeatedly by Scientologists on foot and in cars. Defectors have said they were paid less than $50 a week. Tin Can Cafe. At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. And Clearwater is home to one of the Church's most important bases, a campus called Flag, which established Scientologists from across the globe make pilgrimages to. 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. The few that chose to speak on selling their property said they were approached by a Scientologist who made offers and paid in cash. The controversial church first landed in Clearwater in 1975 with one hotel property to its name, but the organization had elaborate plans to spread its reach across the entire downtown area. Even city leaders said they didnt know the full extent of the purchases until they were shown maps created by the Times. It was owned by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. But the promised downtown revival never came. Andrus did not respond to a phone message or email inquiring if he was involved in the 45 purchases in the blocks surrounding his condo project. Philip Kirkpatrick, Clearwaters senior economic development coordinator, said Stephen Epstein spoke with city officials in December about a potential commercial and multifamily project on the site. But just how has the church expanded at such an alarming rate? Lares declined again when Fischler met him at a restaurant in Pinellas Park for lunch, and once more when she tried in May. The Boca Raton Beach Club. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? About 72 percent of those properties are tax exempt for religious uses. In 1975, Scientology creator L. Ron Hubbard bought a historic hotel in downtown Clearwater. Wayne E. Lee ran his Auto Parts Distributors business on Park Street since 1982. Dozens of residents showed up to speak. However, it hasnt always been clear to me as to just what does that actually mean.. Source: Lived in Florida for 15 . All five City Council members said they doubted the rash of purchases were unrelated. walmart stabbing victim; google financial analyst salary london. It is headed by David Miscavige [1] . Part of the reason for that is because they have this Sea Org that works full time and is paid less than $50 a week. From $150.62 per night. Thomas Paine, Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. - Martin Luther King, The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. - Martin Luther King. A few months after Yarbrough relocated, a new electrical company moved into his old building. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. And our analysis found that these church officials were offering two, three, four times what the property appraiser said the properties were valued. Leading up to the waterfront, 22 of the first 33 buildings now have ties to Scientology. 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. They called it, quote, "little more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective reporting." Any property owned by a Scientologist or linked to a Scientologist is owned by the church, because the church owns its parishioners, said De Vocht, the former executive in charge of real estate, who reported directly to Miscavige. Investigative journalism like this is the most expensive work that we do. 0. warrants st martin parish. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So the fact that the church is now buying up these properties through proxy organizations would maybe ring some alarm bells for the community because of what has happened in the past. We reported at that time that a handful of limited liability companies bought about six downtown properties, and Scientology leader David Miscavige had presented a retail plan to two city staff officials. srini devadas linkedin Real estate agent Daphna Fischler brokered at least 10 downtown sales on behalf of seven buyers. Scientologys survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater. Has the Church of Scientology ever killed anyone? In six cases, buyers paid quadruple the propertys value. While theres no law against hanging onto property, developers typically buy land, build on it and sell it for profit. Toni Says: What is Medicares creditable prescription drug coverage? In those cases, four or more parcels purchased together clearly comprised a single piece of real estate. 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. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard had written about doing away with governments and replacing them with a Scientology-run society. GARCIA-NAVARRO: And we reached out to the Church of Scientology about the Tampa Bay Times report. 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. The church bought the 220-room hotel secretly in 1975, and since then, it has witnessed a number of unusual deaths. It also operates the Fairfield Inn & Suites on Clearwater Beach. 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