hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater
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. Then he would try again, with new council members. Clearwater is the permanent home to more than 10,000 Scientology parishioners. We don't know what they're planning to do with the properties. I think it throws a stake in it when one party owns 50 percent or so. In a letter to the Times, the church denied it ever tried to take control of the city. Most did not respond or declined to comment. GARCIA-NAVARRO: And we reached out to the Church of Scientology about the Tampa Bay Times report. They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. Over half are owned or operated by Scientologists. 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. The Tampa Bay Times reports that members of the church have spent $103 million on property in the city of Clearwater known as "The first Scientology city" since 2016. The majority of this property now stands vacant, and given the Church's tax exempt status, has limitless potential for development. Jim Warren has lived in Clearwater since 1995 with his wife, Cindy, and their two children, Drew and Art. 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. 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. 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. It has terrorized defectors with private investigators, smear campaigns and relentless litigation. Flag is run by the churchs full-time workforce, the Sea Org, whose members sign billion-year contracts and work around the clock. That's the findings of a story in the Tampa Bay Times that's headlined clear takeover. Clarion Inn & Suites Central Clearwater Beach has an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, a restaurant and bar in Clearwater. 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. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Just out of curiosity, when you say the tactics that they used in the '70s, what were those? In addition to a park and amphitheater, Imagine Clearwater also calls for several new projects on the waterfront with residences and retail. 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. For the first time, a majority of the boards members will be Scientologists. After negotiations, Kerrs company paid Yarbrough $1.1 million in cash for the lots, then valued by Pinellas County at $331,000. I really appreciate you all giving up your time to, Mike was probably getting a slew of YSCOHB texts from DM. Lee sold when Fischler upped her offer to $410,000 cash for the building valued at $109,000 by the property appraiser. 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. But the aquarium rejected his bid in order to sell it to the city for $4.25 million. Then, the . In addition, more is planned to occur on the "Ides of march" (March 15th) Which also happens to be L. Ron Hubbard's . He was overseeing the religion from aboard a ship to avoid investigations into tax evasion and fraud when he selected Clearwater as a spiritual headquarters. New Pasco County commissioner accused of faking his residency, Guide to Plant Citys Strawberry Festival, one of the largest festivals in the nation, Gov. And he was going to recruit high-end retail to some of the empty storefronts because downtown Clearwater's pretty depressed. It said information in parishioner folders is sacrosanct and claims of blackmail have long since been disproven.. But they werent ready to sell the building, which they had owned for 27 years. However, it hasnt always been clear to me as to just what does that actually mean.. 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. The pattern of Scientology-tied companies buying so many properties and sitting on them flies in the face of most land economics, said Tobias, who has been appraising property in Pinellas County for 50 years. 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. 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. Mike Rinder, who led the churchs intelligence arm before defecting in 2007, said that when it comes to property around Flag, theres no real distinction between whether its owned by the church or a parishioner. The church requires followers to shun family members, friends and business contacts who defy it. Rice said hes been surprised that he has not been approached by brokers trying to buy his 10,000-square-foot building. Fischler did not respond to phone messages, a certified letter or a note left at her condo. TRACEY MCMANUS: Hi, Lulu. 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. Its designed not for recruiting new members but for hosting established followers. Osman Ozsan is, in our opinion, one of the more notable Scientologists you've never heard of. Delk described the projects which require voter approval as key to the plans success. 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. 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? Tracey McManus is a Scientology reporter for the paper, and she joins us now. 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. Oddly enough, half of those properties werent on sale and half of the sales went for more than double the propertys actual value. Five unexpected signs in your 20s and 30s you're at risk of developing heart disease later in life. The church has amassed 60 properties in Pinellas County since arriving in 1975. Theres no such thing in Scientology. 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. The church promised to spend $55 million. Fuster and Ozsan go back a long way to Altea Real Property Ltd. in London. Just make more income with Scientology. Tampa Bay Times reporter Tracey McManus has spent the last four years writing about Scientology and the churchs relationship with the city of Clearwater. 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 . 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. The Church takes seriously its responsibility and interest in the future of the area. ARC Straightwire (ARC stands for affinity-reality-communication) ARC Fil Direct. Jim is a nationally known artist. Real estate agent David Kerr represented a buyer that paid more than three times what a property was valued by the county property appraiser. Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. Police were quick to respond. There are 22 Church of Scientology facilities in downtown Clearwater. MCMANUS: The reason Scientology has such an outsized influence is because of the cash and assets it has, which is estimated to be $3 billion. 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. Half the properties were bought since January 2017. A few months after Yarbrough relocated, a new electrical company moved into his old building. The Resort at Longboat Key Club . In Florida, limited liability companies that buy property are required to disclose administrative operators but not their owners. Over the past two years, the properties surrounding the shop have been sold to Scientologist-controlled companies. Real estate offices, vitamin shops and vacant storefronts fill prime locations that in a more vibrant downtown might hold breweries, restaurants and boutiques. It's not clear how many followers are based in Clearwater. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. The church bought the 220-room hotel secretly in 1975, and since then, it has witnessed a number of unusual deaths. I had to make a decision, Bosi said. Im concerned, Mayor Frank Hibbard said. By then, the churchs intelligence unit was already deploying an elaborate scheme to establish area control in the city. Advance! Operatives framed the mayor in a staged hit-and-run and spread false rumors he was having an extramarital affair. Defectors have said they were paid less than $50 a week. 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. [ The full history: Scientologys 40 years of conflict with the City of Clearwater, recapped ]. Personal trainer, 22, describes what working in the fitness industry is like when you're curvy - and why Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane - UFC 285 LIVE: Follow all the action from main card ahead of HUGE heavyweight PETER HITCHENS: Now we know for sure that our leaders lost their heads over Covid. The more its isolated and doesnt have people who are non-Scientologists around the area, the better.. L Ron Hubbard From HCOPL URGENT ORG PROGRAMMING, "We own a tremendous amount of property. Has the Church of Scientology ever killed anyone? Even city leaders said they didnt know the full extent of the purchases until they were shown maps created by the Times. During that period, downtown purchases by limited liability companies managed by members of Scientology accelerated. 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. He promoted the site to about 75 hoteliers and developers across the country. And in 1977, the FBI raided Scientology's headquarters in LA and D.C. And they uncovered hundreds of thousands of memos and documents. '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. Clearwater is home to one of the Church's most important bases, a campus called Flag (above), which Scientologists across the globe make pilgrimages to. It does not include properties recently bought by companies run by church members. The Church of Scientology is a group of interconnected corporate entities and other organizations devoted to the practice, administration and dissemination. 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 churchs international spiritual headquarters, then left many of those buildings vacant and lots undeveloped. Scientology has said it has 10 million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. (SOUNDBITE OF CHICK COREA'S "RETURN TO FOREVER"). Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. Before: This map shows the extent of Scientology owned property in downtown Clearwater Florida in 2016, After: By 2019 the Church had greatly expanded, doubling its footprint and covering 101 acres of land, The Scientology Flag Building in Clearwater, Florida pictured above in 2013. and last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019. Huestler said broker Terri Novitsky calls him every now and again to see if hed be interested in selling. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. In the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a Scientology plan to infiltrate the government. A few months later, the newcomers admitted they were actually Scientology. Published: 04:56 GMT, 22 October 2019 | Updated: 08:39 GMT, 22 October 2019. 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. 0. warrants st martin parish. They posted guards wielding billy clubs and mace. I mean, how big is the Church of Scientology where you are? 325 . Internal church documents detailed missions that planted spies in the state attorneys office, the Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Sun newspaper. 'Theyve got one intention, and one intention only. In January and February 2017, as the council was preparing to approve the consultants concept, a handful of companies bought six commercial properties downtown. Hubbard had a vision of making Clearwater a spiritual home for his Church of Scientology. 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. Church officials used a straw corporation to buy the historic Fort Harrison Hotel and moved in under a fake name. A scuffed copy of the Koran. 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. The city and the church fought in court for years. One of the factors they do control is the waterfront land that's protected by city charter, that they are in the middle of a $64 million plan right now to redesign and develop into a park with gardens and a concert venue. City officials say their dedication to redeveloping the waterfront hasnt changed. If it is boring you, please dont waste your time coming here. 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. The church now completely controls the heart of the city, save for a few condominium tower and buildings owned by the government, the Tampa Bay Times discovered after reviewing 1,000 deeds and business records, shocking city leaders and residents at the scope of the churchs dominance. While theres no law against hanging onto property, developers typically buy land, build on it and sell it for profit. (On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Times reported that since 2017, companies run by members of Scientology bought another 86 downtown commercial properties. Hotel in Clearwater. Scientology has been accused of using the information as blackmail. The Travolta home. 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. But many of those purchased properties remain shuttered or in disuse. The church has shed no light on its plans. Although that arrangement is standard in real estate, it makes it impossible to know whether the properties are owned by the Scientologists who manage the companies, the wealthy church or another hidden party. This one is owned by a parishioner who had been featured on the churchs Meet a Scientologist video series. 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. Weve spent a lot of happy years here, Lares said. A broker who was a Scientologist approached a downtown property owner. The few willing to answer questions said Scientology has no influence on their real estate dealings. Scientology leader David Miscavige told city officials the properties were part of the churchs proposed retail redevelopment plan. 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). Andrus helped carry out a plan to stop a Scientologist who had spied on the federal government from turning himself in to the FBI. ), [ Slideshow: See every building owned by the church ], In the 90s, a Scientology magazine listed the churchs goals for 2000. In 1975, Scientology creator L. Ron Hubbard bought a historic hotel in downtown Clearwater. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. See listing details for 880 Mandalay Avenue S604, CLEARWATER, FL 33767 | REGATTA BEACH CLUB CONDO: 0 - 1.00 - 500 - Condo - Hotel listed at 2995 | MLS #O6093827 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. It is headed by David Miscavige [1] . Did you do your taxes? Limited liability companies managed by Hayes, the attorney whos done work on behalf of the church, bought almost the entire square block directly east of the North Ward school. 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. Minkoff had his medical license suspended for a year after it . They called it, quote, "little more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective reporting." The church acquired three others in a land swap. Fischler, a local real estate agent, negotiated at least 10 of the downtown deals, according to interviews with sellers. The Church of Scientology and companies run by its members spent $103 million over the past three years buying up vast sections of downtown Clearwater. 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. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard had written about doing away with governments and replacing them with a Scientology-run society. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. Seven businesses have left following recent purchases, and at least three more are leaving this year, including Clearwater Plumbing and Gulf Coast Marine. City officials are trying to make the area a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. Conspiracy theories are nothing new when it comes to the Church of Scientology.