The Church of Scientology and its members are rapidly buying up a vast downtown neighborhood in a Florida city, according to a major investigation by the Tampa Bay Times. "You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear," he said, "so it's tough to make economic sense out . Fischler did not respond to phone messages, a certified letter or a note left at her condo. And our analysis found that these church officials were offering two, three, four times what the property appraiser said the properties were valued. He took over Bob Lees Auto to continue the business legacy and served on the Downtown Development Board for a decade. Be informed that their owners are local Scientologists who support the abuses of Scientology leader David Miscavige. 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. Tyler Rice has run Carillon Flooring Center on North Fort Harrison for 30 years, the business his father started there in 1964. Its like they are trying to control the whole thing.. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront. ), 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. And he was going to build an entertainment complex with Tom Cruise. Most did not respond or declined to comment. Then in 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate. They have completed courses and spiritual counseling that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Rodney Riley is the CEO of RSR Capital Advisors in Clearwater, Florida. Wayne E. Lee ran his Auto Parts Distributors business on Park Street since 1982. In a letter to the Times, the church denied it ever tried to take control of the city. Hayes, the attorney and parishioner involved in the rest of the North Marina purchases, was added as manager on the companies filings. The goal was to capture the area immediately surrounding both Scientologys headquarters, City Hall and the city-owned waterfront. Cons. A deserted coin laundry. 1. 2. Inc. magazine's 2019 report on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in Clearwater. Clearwater is the center of that revenue stream. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. A lot of them are vacant lots, vacant buildings, empty storefronts. Rileys Clearwater Marina District development has a $350 million price tag on it. I dont know what their plan is.. This is a very interesting report. Jim Huestler is the blocks only holdout with a rental home on the northeast corner. 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. It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. Huestler said broker Terri Novitsky calls him every now and again to see if hed be interested in selling. February 27, 2023 endeavor air pilot contract No Comments . Im concerned, Mayor Frank Hibbard said. Learn how your comment data is processed. Cazares responds with an $8 million libel suit. Gulf Coast Marine and ClearwaterPlumbing. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. 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. 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. 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. Assistant City Manager Michael Delk said the citys priority is turning the spectacular land it owns into a community destination, no matter who owns the private property around it. We believe it's important to shed light on a powerful institution that's very controversial and plays a big role in our community. And the Times found that in six cases buyers paid quadruple a propertys value. Scientologys survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater. 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. The church attracts members through a theology of self improvement and understanding. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. In the world of scientologywhere anything goes and all laws in the wog world by damnedits Christmas 24/7. The impact is clearest in the heart of downtown. By then, he had found an auto garage he could buy in Dunedin. Among them: make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. More interesting is that the 15 parcels of land Riley plans acquire in Clearwater are owned by Scientologists. There's parishioners that come here from all over the world to take courses in high level auditing that's not offered anywhere else. While theres no law against hanging onto property, developers typically buy land, build on it and sell it for profit. Over half are owned or operated by Scientologists. GARCIA-NAVARRO: And we reached out to the Church of Scientology about the Tampa Bay Times report. No one from the church dictates to me what to buy, what to sell, what to do., From the archives (May 2019):A supposed Scientology cruise ship is quarantined in St. Lucia over measles. The family of Moises Agami, a developer whose companies bought 20 storefronts and a parking lot last year, has donated at least $10 million. Times Staff WritersOct. But companies controlled by different parishioners bought neighboring properties that create clear assemblages of land. Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter. GARCIA-NAVARRO: It's the type of servitude. I would assume hes a Scientologist or involved with them in some fashion. In San Diego, Taylor Guitars and Deering Banjo Company. Gentile also purchased several Clearwater companies owned by Scientologists who may have invested the proceeds into land deals. One of these accounts shows discretionary assets of $134.77 million. Additional Clearwater real estate purchases began in 2019. 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. 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. Then the council interfered with a land deal that Scientology demanded for its plan. The church requires followers to shun family members, friends and business contacts who defy it. Everyone in KnowBe4 knows I'm a (proud) Scientologist. In January and February 2017, a handful of limited liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels. After the Times reported the purchases, Miscavige acknowledged the properties were bought for a second revitalization strategy one devised by the church. The more its isolated and doesnt have people who are non-Scientologists around the area, the better.. The property wasnt on the market. Scientology leader David Miscavige told city officials the properties were part of the churchs proposed retail redevelopment plan. (Guess he hasnt seen the game tapes), US Supreme Court refuses to block Florida execution of Donald Dillbeck, Red-hot USF women close out home schedule with explosive offensive showing. 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. About $15.9 million was paid in cash. Half the sales were for more than double what the properties were valued at by the county property appraiser. I mean, do they view it as helpful for the community at large to have a major religious organization centered in their town or not? He has also lived in Hong Kong and South Korea. The most recent deal came when a New York firm bought a former demolition yard on Nicholson Street for $593,400 on Oct. 20 and then flipped it two days later for $1 million in cash to one of the Scientology-tied limited liability companies, according to property records. Melitta electrics and accessories are manufactured, marketed and distributed under a licensing agreement. More reaction: What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover, The full history: Scientologys 40 years of conflict with the City of Clearwater, recapped, Slideshow: See every building owned by the church, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings. LULU GARCIA-NAVARRO, HOST: 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. Visit a quote page and your recently viewed tickers will be displayed here. Brokers who are Scientologists approached at least 15 downtown owners about unlisted properties. Should we cut my sister out of the family inheritance? Welcome. He had committed to downtown in 1997. 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. Another Scientologist, Rick Argall, owned a building on downtowns Garden Avenue that housed six Scientologist-run businesses, including a chiropractic clinic he operated with a fellow church member. Whats more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. The report notes that half of these properties have been bought since January 2017 after the organization and the Clearwater City Council presented competing redevelopment projects to the downtown district and its waterfront. 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. Accuracy and availability may vary. synergy rv transport pay rate; stephen randolph todd. Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. I believe its irrational to buy property and not fully utilize it.. The Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have spent $103 million since 2017 buying about 100 properties. Clarification made on CBRE and thank you for pointing that out. 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. They called it, quote, "little more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective reporting." He owns Stonebridge Real Estate and served as president of the Florida Gulfcoast Commercial Association of Realtors in 2017. And yes, everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out . Lee ran his Auto Parts Distributors business on Park companies owned by scientologists in clearwater since 1982 a... Works here is asked to keep politics and religion out a letter to the Times found in... $ 134.77 million buying retail property at an unprecedented rate his father there! 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