Among them: make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. 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 came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. Did you do your taxes? Seven businesses have left following recent purchases, and at least three more are leaving this year, including Clearwater Plumbing and Gulf Coast Marine. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. The Times used the date that transactions were recorded in Clerk of Courts official record as the date of sale. 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. (Which, actually, all Scientologists are under pressure to do. 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. A few months later, the newcomers admitted they were actually Scientology. 1991: An investment firm owned by Joel Feshbach, an acknowledged Scientologist, purchased Cocolat, a West Coast candy company that was having some financial . ARC Straightwire (ARC stands for affinity-reality-communication) ARC Fil Direct. Flag is what they call it, and it's the international spiritual headquarters of the church. Chef Karl has held positions at the Bermuda Carlton Beach Hotel, and Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. 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. Claimed. The Church of Scientology acquired the building in 2017 as part of its downtown redevelopment plan. The Church takes seriously its responsibility and interest in the future of the area. 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. And the properties cover about 100 acres. 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. And it's all surrounding the city's downtown waterfront. Almost immediately, a decades-long trickle of purchases by church members turned into a flood. 619 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767-2643. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So tell me about these land purchases. 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. The Tampa Bay Times discovered them by reviewing more than 1,000 deeds and business records, then interviewed more than 90 people to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the transactions. It's Clearwater, FL. The Resort at Longboat Key Club . BBC's 1million star Zoe Ball, 52, lands big new payday for Abba show on ITV. It was owned by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. 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. George Orwell's astonishing novel 1984 depicts a dystopian world that has many remarkable similarities to scientology. Inc. magazine's 2019 report on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in Clearwater. We own a tremendous amount of material and so forth, and it keeps growing. It met his criteria: It was located in a warm climate near an international airport and had a hotel the Sea Org could turn into a base. 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. The city and the church fought in court for years. 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. This gallery shows all 60 properties Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas county and the six retail properties the church acquired through limited liability companies in 2017. 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. ^ ??? They have completed courses and spiritual counseling that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Did you check your W-2? I mean, how big is the Church of Scientology where you are? Investigative journalism like this is the most expensive work that we do. Conspiracy theories are nothing new when it comes to the Church of Scientology. Scientology is all I have to say, There are no pros that unless you are a Scientologist. About 72 percent of those properties are tax exempt for religious uses. Hotel in Clearwater. Brian Andrus controls companies that last year bought a marina on N Osceola Avenue and six nearby properties, all bordering a redevelopment project at the citys public boat ramp. The new owners also are sitting on about 30 undeveloped lots. CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) 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. Show more. 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. In Florida, limited liability companies that buy property are required to disclose administrative operators but not their owners. The Church's celebrity members Tom Cruise and John Travolta are known to have estates near Clearwater as well. The Jerry Maguire star recently purchased a two-storey penthouse in downtown Clearwater, Floridaclose to the Scientology HQ. Clearwater is a beautiful town and the downtown area is now a ghost town. But after Anthony How Scientology doubled its downtown Clearwater footprint in 3 years | Investigations | Tampa Bay Times, Do not sell or share my personal information. 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. Walking through Clearwater people will find vacant lots, an empty former jewelry store, an dead laundromat and an abandoned Walgreens. russia and china vs nato war who would win. He had committed to downtown in 1997. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has purchased 60 properties in Pinellas County under its name. High-ranking defectors provide an unprecedented inside look at Scientology, its leader and the Lisa McPherson case. 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. The few that chose to speak on selling their property said they were approached by a Scientologist who made offers and paid in cash. In 1975, Scientology creator L. Ron Hubbard bought a historic hotel in downtown Clearwater. The greatest number of properties were bought by companies controlled by either Israeli businessman Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him. The DeNunzio Group is affiliated with Maine Course Hospitality Group, which owns and operates 24 hotels in five states. The WORST care homes in England: Interactive map reveals the lowest-rated 2,530 residences - so is there one 'I can still hear their cruel laughter': Dr Alex George bravely reveals he suffered with an eating disorder Matt Hancock discussed 'deploying' new virus variant to 'frighten the pants off everyone' as former Health 'So many dead. 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. The family of Moises Agami, a developer whose companies bought 20 storefronts and a parking lot last year, has donated at least $10 million. The downtown and North Marina properties bought by limited liability companies managed or operated by members of Scientology remain on the tax rolls. or "selling postcards" or borrowing money. Scientology leader David Miscavige told city officials the properties were part of the churchs proposed retail redevelopment plan. (On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Times reported that since 2017, companies run by members of Scientology bought another 86 downtown commercial properties. CONNIE HUMBURG, TRACEY McMANUS, ELI MURRAY, ELI ZHANG | Times. Church officials used a straw corporation to buy the historic Fort Harrison Hotel and moved in under a fake name. I'm glad you brought this up! He saw the area improve when police cracked down on drugs and prostitution decades ago. "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. After FBI raids uncovered the infiltrations, city officials launched their own investigations. 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. MCMANUS: Scientology arrived in downtown Clearwater in 1975. It is headed by David Miscavige [1] . Just make more income with Scientology. Share. By then, the churchs intelligence unit was already deploying an elaborate scheme to establish area control in the city. Reached at their condo, his wife declined to comment. But they werent ready to sell the building, which they had owned for 27 years. In January and February 2017, a handful of limited liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels. Seventy-one percent of the 60 parcels the Church of Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas County are tax-exempt for religious purposes. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. But even when the church isnt in control, its presence can deter development. In addition, more is planned to occur on the "Ides of march" (March 15th) Which also happens to be L. Ron Hubbard's . However, it hasnt always been clear to me as to just what does that actually mean.. Since July 2019, eight limited liability companies managed or operated by members of the church have bought 45 properties in North Marina, including Chesneys. The analysis did not include residential parcels except in cases where they were bought in conjunction with commercial property or vacant land. 1,915 reviews. . The church bought the 220-room hotel secretly in 1975, and since then, it has witnessed a number of unusual deaths. Agami, the developer whose family gave $10 million, leased a storefront to a non-Scientologist that has become a successful restaurant since opening in 2017. But in the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. The plan. Thats not happening with almost any of these properties. 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. Were she in Utah, would the Times intrepid reporter have headlined that 'Mormons are buying up property in downtown Salt Lake City!' We've got 2511 hotels to choose from within 5 miles of Church of Scientology. Five unexpected signs in your 20s and 30s you're at risk of developing heart disease later in life. '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 added. Of the $103 million spent, $99 million was paid in cash. The Church of Scientology doubled its footprint in Clearwater, Florida in just three years after shelling out $103million The Church first landed in Clearwater in 1975 with one hotel. That's the findings of a story in the Tampa Bay Times that's headlined clear takeover. 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. It has terrorized defectors with private investigators, smear campaigns and relentless litigation. City officials are trying to make the area a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. A uniformed member of Scientologys full-time work force, the Sea Org, walks along N Fort Harrison Avenue, passing a vacant restaurant. Made an offer. Can you give me a sense of the scale and how they have made this happen with the relatively little fanfare over the years? As a Designed to Dream property, we've created a relaxing environment so that you can start your day well-rested. June 22, 2022; Posted by . Lares declined again when Fischler met him at a restaurant in Pinellas Park for lunch, and once more when she tried in May. '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. Both have been there for decades. Accuracy and availability may vary. san jose state basketball recruiting; 5 types of imagery in the pedestrian. They include consumer products, a lighting manufacturer, development firms, fitness, advertising and marketing, environmental services and financial advisers. Do I spend another 10 years and see what happens in downtown Clearwater?, Scientology, Pinellas County and Clearwater Reporter. Cruise, 56, is moving into a multimillion-dollar penthouse apartment at The SkyView, a 10 . I, Scientology cant clear the planet or fix every issue. 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. Has the Church of Scientology ever killed anyone? The Fort Harrison Hotel is located in Clearwater, Florida, and besides being an exclusive Scientology hotel, it is a high-level training center and the church's spiritual headquarters. The few willing to answer questions said Scientology has no influence on their real estate dealings. Born in Germany, he began his career at the Hotel Restaurant Melber, followed by the Four Seasons in Munich and the Hotel Kempinski in Berlin. The churchs influence comes from its massive wealth, estimated around $3billion in cash and assets, collected from devoted followers. A few months after Yarbrough relocated, a new electrical company moved into his old building. [quote] Florida Gov. 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. how to create a signature in outlook 365; hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. The city, meanwhile, moved ahead on its now-$84 million Imagine Clearwater project, a plan to transform the city-owned downtown waterfront with an outdoor amphitheater, a garden, bluff walk and plaza. Hubbard had a vision of making Clearwater a spiritual home for his Church of Scientology. MCMANUS: You know, Lulu, from my reporting, I've learned that there's a lot of mistrust and suspicion still in the community when it comes to Scientology because a lot of the residents here were living in the city when Scientology arrived in the '70s, and they remember the tactics Scientology used. The stick out moment, is Tom Cruise auditing Marc, and failing., The live Q & A had great questions and answers. Scientology hasn't answered directly why they've taken over the Clearwater area, but skeptics say it's to keep the public away. When you stay with us at the Sleep Inn Clearwater-St Petersburg hotel, you can expect stylish accommodations for an affordable rate. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. I agree, the blog has a limited purpose, Super excellent, really great chemistry, so enjoyable to watch. Flag is run by the churchs full-time workforce, the Sea Org, whose members sign billion-year contracts and work around the clock. Many of the properties werent on the market. Four high-ranking defectors describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings inflicted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. In addition to a park and amphitheater, Imagine Clearwater also calls for several new projects on the waterfront with residences and retail. Its members bought property on surrounding blocks. 1 (727) 205-9357. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. 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. Run away!!! I think it throws a stake in it when one party owns 50 percent or so. Through a spokesperson, Epstein said in an email that CA South looked into developing the properties on behalf of a client but walked away when the city did not relax a rule prohibiting a parking lot level facing North Fort Harrison Avenue. A for-lease sign sits in long-vacant retail space at The SkyView condo tower, owned by Scientologist and developer Moises Agami. New Pasco County commissioner accused of faking his residency, Guide to Plant Citys Strawberry Festival, one of the largest festivals in the nation, Gov. what does holetta mean in polish renault clio steering wheel controls not working hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. The gallery does not include properties bought by companies run by church members. Andrus helped carry out a plan to stop a Scientologist who had spied on the federal government from turning himself in to the FBI. Most of the new owners have done little with their acquisitions. They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. ', '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. Over half are owned or operated by Scientologists. 'The true story of downtown development is presented in an article in that Freedom, 'Who Is The Real Block To Downtown Revitalization?' 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. Critics of the church say that the Scientology bought the downtown properties to keep the public at bay. The Mission: Impossible - Fallout star plans to call an elaborate penthouse, complete with a private swimming pool and garden, his new home. Ever since then the church stopped communicating with the city, and the rapid land grab commenced. The Church of Scientology offered $15 . The property wasnt on the market. 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. 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. On Sept. 7, Epsteins employee was removed from the corporate filings of the company that own the land. Andrus did not respond to an email, phone message, a note left at his office or a certified letter. 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. The church stopped communicating with the city. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth." She reported full-time for six months, interviewing more than 90 people and reviewing more than 1,000 documents, to bring you this story. They haven't started construction - or are they going to redevelop them and bring businesses in and contribute to a vibrant downtown? hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA. Mike Rinder, who led Scientologys intelligence arm before defecting in 2007, said any property owned by a parishioner is in the churchs control. Longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church wants the same thing. The church acquired three others in a land swap. You might want to consider one of these options that are popular with our guests: Clearwater Beach Hotel - 1.8 mi (2.9 km) away 4-star hotel Free WiFi 3 restaurants Spa Central location Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach - 1.9 mi (3 km) away In just three years, starting with a frantic land grab in January 2017, Scientology doubled its footprint in the city. All together, 32 companies bought 92 downtown properties since 2017. In January and February 2017, as the council was preparing to approve the consultants concept, a handful of companies bought six commercial properties downtown. There's parishioners that come here from all over the world to take courses in high level auditing that's not offered anywhere else. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard had written about doing away with governments and replacing them with a Scientology-run society. Most of the sales have not previously been reported. The Church is the largest property taxpayer in downtown Clearwater, paying nearly $1 million in property taxes last year. So we kept our eye on the downtown purchases. Argall left the church and was forced to abandon his business of more than 20 years. They didnt say what they were going to do with them, and I never asked, said Chesney, who works as the citys marine and aviation department director. 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. '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. In the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a Scientology plan to infiltrate the government. 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. Revealed: The top 10 fastest-growing destinations for UK pensioners retiring overseas. Andrus, the former church operative, has broken ground on a condo tower near the citys boat ramp and filed plans for another housing complex nearby. While theres no law against hanging onto property, developers typically buy land, build on it and sell it for profit. Shephard's Beach Resort. Construction on eight townhomes on the south end of the marina began Oct. 1, according to county records. An empty Walgreens. When buildings get important to us, for God sakes, some of you born revolutionists will you please blow up central headquarters". Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving; it consists of professing to believe what he does not believe." A lot of them are vacant lots, vacant buildings, empty storefronts. 20, 2019. '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. Flag is supposed to be an insulated oasis. The churchs influence comes from the estimated $3 billion in cash and assets it has collected from its followers. And the tactics they were using to establish area control included infiltration, spying, smearing enemies. The Scientology leader had offered the Clearwater Marine Aquarium $15 million for that 1.4-acre grass lot on Pierce Street. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What is the view of the local community? It said information in parishioner folders is sacrosanct and claims of blackmail have long since been disproven.. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. Scientologists began to purchase properties through limited liability companies which are required by law to disclose their operators but not their owners. The Church of Scientology provided the following statement to DailyMail.com: 'The Times article is simply the latest in its continuing and unending obsession with Scientology and is little more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective reporting without reporting the actual facts to the reader. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with reporter Tracey McManus. And he was going to build an entertainment complex with Tom Cruise. Boca Raton, FL . After a workout in our fitness center, begin your morning with our free hot breakfast, free hot coffee and free weekday newspaper in our . He has not been arrested by the FBI; fined $10 million by the FTC for running a roach motel; is not facing criminal rape charges; is not dealing with class action lawsuits; and is not awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to felony insurance fraud. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater dr thomas horn wikipedia. Leading up to the waterfront, 22 of the first 33 buildings now have ties to Scientology. Closed now : See all hours. 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 Church of Scientologyh 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, In just three years, starting with a frantic land grab in January 2017, Scientology doubled its footprint in the city, The Church of Scientology doubled its footprint in Clearwater, Florida in a matter of just three years after shelling out $103million to snatch up 185 properties that cover 101 acres of the city's downtown area. And he was going to recruit high-end retail to some of the empty storefronts because downtown Clearwater's pretty depressed. The comments below have not been moderated. Scientologys international spiritual headquarters is anchored by the Flag Building, on left. Companies tied to the Church of Scientology paid millions in cash for 45 properties near downtown with no major plans in sight. MCMANUS: Brokers representing these companies were approaching downtown property owners. The Church of Scientology is a group of interconnected corporate entities and other organizations devoted to the practice, administration and dissemination. MCMANUS: Well, our reporting shows that Scientology has a big interest in preserving its downtown campus. From $150.62 per night. Didn't like the Grab N Go Idea for a continental Breakfast. But its potential is still untapped, with prime vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor. Miscaviges offer to revitalize downtown hinged on the city ending its attempt to buy one vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. Copyright 2019 NPR. Religious Technology Center (RTC) is the primary manager of Scientology intellectual property. Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said in a statement that the church is not involved with the acquisitions. Half the properties were bought since January 2017. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So clearly they wanted these properties a great deal. New details about the case of Lisa McPherson, who died in the care of Scientologists, from the executive who directed the Church of Scientologys handling of the case. It's not clear how many followers are based in Clearwater. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. The lack of action from Scientology-tied buyers has precedent. MCMANUS: Yeah, I think that the key here is the uncertainty. They paid $26 million. They cant even fix their own families. Scientologists in Clearwater. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? Hes still holding out. The Church of Scientology and its parishioners now own a lot of real estate in Clearwater, Fla., as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. Hillsborough forms had errors, Church of Scientologys presence in Pinellas County, 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, Typhoon cancels Clearwaters sister city visit to Nagano.