The Church of Scientology, its members and companies controlled by its members have spent $103 million over the past three years buying retail property in downtown Clearwater, Fla., according to the Tampa Bay Times. And it's all surrounding the city's downtown waterfront. Epstein could have simply told the reporter his client was not the Church of Scientology and left it at that. . Instead, the aquarium sold it to the city in April 2017 for a lot less $4.25 million. Agami also signed two more leases on the same block with restaurants owned by people not connected to the church. In 2016, city consultants began planning what has become a $64 million effort to reinvigorate the waterfront called Imagine Clearwater. The church offered $15 million for the parcel. Do I spend another 10 years and see what happens in downtown Clearwater?, Scientology, Pinellas County and Clearwater Reporter. We also hold the distinction of being the first Scientology Church in the Southern Hemisphere. The land grab started as tensions grew between the church and the Clearwater City Council. Nearly all of the roughly two dozen people listed as operating the companies are Scientologists. pauline hanson dancing with the stars; just jerk dance members; what happens if a teacher gets a dui During spiritual counseling, parishioners are interrogated about their deepest secrets, which are recorded in folders and stored indefinitely. They posted guards wielding billy clubs and mace. In San Diego, Taylor Guitars and Deering Banjo Company. businesses owned by scientologists. Fifty-three of those are for properties owned by companies run by himself with fellow Scientologist Emrani, a candidate in this election. The analysis did not include residential parcels except in cases where they were bought in conjunction with commercial property or vacant land. Gentile also purchased several Clearwater companies owned by Scientologists who may have invested the proceeds into land deals. Tyler Rice has run Carillon Flooring Center on North Fort Harrison for 30 years, the business his father started there in 1964. 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. He took over Bob Lees Auto to continue the business legacy and served on the Downtown Development Board for a decade. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront. In mid-2018, one year before the string of North Marina purchases took off, a company controlled by developer Brian Andrus, a longtime member of Scientology, bought the private marina next to the citys Seminole Boat Ramp. Then in 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate. ANTIFRAGILE LIMITED He saw the area improve when police cracked down on drugs and prostitution decades ago. 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. 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 majority of this property now stands vacant, and given the Church's tax exempt status, has limitless potential for development. The Church is the largest property taxpayer in downtown Clearwater, paying nearly $1 million in property taxes last year. Paid in cash. In both communities [comparing Mesa to Clearwater], there is a major presence of a church. Howd that go? They spent $6.5 million to renovate the public Seminole Boat Ramp, a popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the citys commitment. And the mayor at the time, Gabe Cazares, really raised the alarm. 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. In 2017 the church acquired six downtown Clearwater retail properties through limited liability companies. Each had proposed major redevelopment projects, designed to lure new business into the empty storefronts that surround the city-owned waterfront and the churchs spiritual headquarters. Miscaviges offer to revitalize downtown hinged on the city ending its attempt to buy one vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. 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. Operatives framed the mayor in a staged hit-and-run and spread false rumors he was having an extramarital affair. 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. Delk described the projects which require voter approval as key to the plans success. Hes encouraged by city investments in the boat ramp and North Ward Elementary, and holds out hope that the undeveloped lots and dilapidated homes will be replaced with something vibrant. Both are supposed to open soon. Miscavige cut off communication with the city. It was a very turbulent time. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. Church officials used a straw corporation to buy the historic Fort Harrison Hotel and moved in under a fake name. Many of their properties weren't listed for sale. . Copyright 2023 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. Advance! 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 . Scientologys international spiritual headquarters is anchored by the Flag Building, on left. February 1976: Scientology files a $1 million lawsuit against Cazares alleging he violated its constitutional rights with his public criticism. A few months later, the newcomers admitted they were actually Scientology. Thank you for having us. 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. Columnist Stephanie Hayes will share thoughts, feelings and funny business with you every Monday. 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. Rileys Clearwater Marina District development has a $350 million price tag on it. Ozsan has had a residence in London since 2001. In those cases, four or more parcels purchased together clearly comprised a single piece of real estate. 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 downtown and North Marina properties bought by limited liability companies managed or operated by members of Scientology remain on the tax rolls. There is ZERO chance of me getting sucked in. Cazares responds with an $8 million libel suit. Among other things, Ozsan is, according to our source, Trish Duggans money manager. The main reason why developers didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the Church of Scientology, Searcy said. Recommend. The other side of that is flag is run by the Sea Org, the Scientology's full-time workforce. This is a big giveaway in our view. And he was going to recruit high-end retail to some of the empty storefronts because downtown Clearwater's pretty depressed. Scientology members fuel another land-buying surge in Clearwater Companies tied to the Church of Scientology paid millions in cash for 45 properties near downtown with no major plans in. But the couple isnt ready to let go. In an interview with Scientology-owned "Freedom Magazine" Gendusa said that she moved to Clearwater to study Scientology more than 25 years ago. Andrus did not respond to an email, phone message, a note left at his office or a certified letter. 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. CEO Approval. It set aside $10 million for secret real estate purchases in Clearwater. 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. Real estate offices, vitamin shops and vacant storefronts fill prime locations that in a more vibrant downtown might hold breweries, restaurants and boutiques. 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. I had to make a decision, Bosi said. After the Times reported the purchases, Miscavige acknowledged the properties were bought for a second revitalization strategy one devised by the church. 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. Fair Game: Leah Remini & Mike Rinders Podcast, The Aftermath Foundation: Help for Those Who Want to Leave the Sea Org, Scientologys Membership Contract Goes Down in Flames in Court, Chris Shelton's Sensibly Speaking Podcast, Dr. Steven Hassan's Freedom of Mind Resource Center, Stefani Hutchison's Confront & Shatter Blog, The Aftermath Foundation: Helping Those Who Have Left the Sea Org, More Scientologists Getting Into Crypto: Alfreddie Johnson and Karilyn Youngman-Trammell and Their Solar Gold Cryptocurrency, More Grant Cardone Fraud: His Plan for Businesses to Use Credit Cards to Pay for Cardone Sales Training and then Declare Bankruptcy, Church of Scientology International(158), Scientology Fair Game: Cult Leader David Miscavige Orders Attacks on Marc Headley and His Business, US Federal Prosecutor Now Investigating Retired LAPD Cop & Scientology Pal Captain Cory Palka for Corruption, Subpoena-Evader and Thug Life Scientology Leader David Miscavige Served a Subpoena by a US Federal Court on Valentines Day 2023, Scientologist David Gentile Goes Down in Flames in the Pretrial Phase of His US Federal Criminal Case. But that is where it ends. Much of downtown Clearwater is now owned by people or companies tied to Scientology, a report finds. Almost immediately, a decades-long trickle of purchases by church members turned into a flood. MCMANUS: Yeah, that's a good question. Four high-ranking defectors describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings inflicted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. Companies controlled by Hayes have bought about half the property on Rices block and nearly the entire block directly south. 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. 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 Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have spent $103 million since 2017 buying about 100 properties. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler, a Scientologist, called and showed up to the shop a handful of times in mid-2018. (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, Editorial Cartoons for Thursday from Times Wire Services, 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. 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. Most of the new owners have done little with their acquisitions. Fuster and Ozsan go back a long way to Altea Real Property Ltd. in London. City officials say their dedication to redeveloping the waterfront hasnt changed. The churchs hostility toward the public became clear from its first days in the city in fall 1975. In summer 2017, Mark Searcy, a longtime Clearwater real estate agent who is not a Scientologist, assembled a 1-acre site by getting the owners of three adjoining properties to agree to sell. 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. Concerned he wouldnt be able to pay his mortgage, Argall said he deeded the building, appraised at $780,000, back to the previous owner. Asked directly whether Scientology orchestrated or paid for any of the sales, the church did not answer. The city and the church fought in court for years. Melitta electrics and accessories are manufactured, marketed and distributed under a licensing agreement. I saw a business opportunity, he said. Inc. magazine's 2019 report on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in Clearwater. However, it hasnt always been clear to me as to just what does that actually mean.. Steven Epstein took the unusual step of preparing an affidavit to tell the Tampa Bay Times that his client was not the Church of Scientology. Argall left the church and was forced to abandon his business of more than 20 years. Times reporters built a database of hundreds of properties in the center of Clearwaters downtown. (SOUNDBITE OF CHICK COREA'S "RETURN TO FOREVER"). Help us keep bringing stories like this to you. They keep their operations going. One of these accounts shows discretionary assets of $134.77 million. Graphics by ELI MURRAY Your characterization that his religious affiliations somehow control his business activities is evidence of personal bias against his religion, Zaretsky wrote. Spa not owned by a Scientologist. If you are looking for a career where your coworkers and leadership care about you and your success, AMI is the right place! When the council voted to buy the property, the chamber erupted in applause. This is a story for another time. 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. Non-Scientologists who get too close are a threat to the operation, said Mat Pesch, who spent 27 years in the Sea Org and worked as Flags treasury secretary before defecting in 2005. Its a business, Pesch said. The inn had stood empty since being damaged in a 1989 arson fire and the Church of Scientology acquired the land in 1991 after it had been purchased by local property developer Terence J. McCarthy, the owner of T.J.M. Whats more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. 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. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So clearly they wanted these properties a great deal. CLEARWATER An old jewelry store on the corner of Cleveland Street that welcomes visitors to the core of downtown sits empty, unchanged since a company managed by a Church of Scientology. The 1.4 acre lot was across the street from City Hall and adjacent to a 13-story Scientology religious retreat. Scientologys extraordinary influence over its members has been documented in government investigations and testimony from former parishioners throughout its 65-year history. Based upon on our new hypothesis that Trish Duggan may be the financier of the land purchases, the logic of bringing in non-Scientologist Rod Riley to act as the frontman makes sense as it can serve to counter any accusation that Scientology is taking over Clearwater. Its designed not for recruiting new members but for hosting established followers. After negotiations, Kerrs company paid Yarbrough $1.1 million in cash for the lots, then valued by Pinellas County at $331,000. Take away the church footprint, a few condo towers and all buildings owned by the government. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. Osman Ozsan is, in our opinion, one of the more notable Scientologists youve never heard of. Both have been there for decades. But even when the church isnt in control, its presence can deter development. A deserted coin laundry. Zano did not respond to questions about what his plans for the properties. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler brokered at least 10 downtown sales on behalf of seven buyers. It is headed by David Miscavige [1] . His partner is Scientologist Maria Dolores Gregori Fuster. Scientology has said it has 10 million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. Mike Rinder, who led Scientologys intelligence arm before defecting in 2007, said any property owned by a parishioner is in the churchs control. Weve spent a lot of happy years here, Lares said. Riley is also working with Gensler on the development. 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.. Lares declined again when Fischler met him at a restaurant in Pinellas Park for lunch, and once more when she tried in May. My sister is always struggling with money and drugs: I own a house with my husband and mother. Block after block, vacant lots sit untouched, and storefronts remain empty: A former jewelry store. A few weeks later, John Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22 years. He is linked to the Church of Scientology via the Epsteins and Trish Duggan. Flag is supposed to be an insulated oasis. CBRE is an acronym for CB Richard Ellis. Fifty-eight are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown. The total of all Scientology-connected Clearwater real estate purchases $114.8 million. At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. Thats not happening with almost any of these properties., But Tal Ezra, a Scientologist who recently bought four parcels of land in downtown Clearwater, told the Times that he has plans for an office space and a retail shop. This is a very interesting report. Fifty-eight are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown.. In the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a Scientology plan to infiltrate the government. Clearwater is the center of that revenue stream. The Times counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions. The more its isolated and doesnt have people who are non-Scientologists around the area, the better.. [ The full history: Scientologys 40 years of conflict with the City of Clearwater, recapped ]. 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. Be informed that their owners are local Scientologists who support the abuses of Scientology leader David Miscavige. He has also lived in Hong Kong and South Korea. Since 2017, the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have bought 92 properties around the center of downtown. ), [ Slideshow: See every building owned by the church ], In the 90s, a Scientology magazine listed the churchs goals for 2000. 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. Many of the properties werent on the market. Scientologys survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater. Almost all of the properties were quietly bought through limited liability companies required to disclose their operators but not their owners as is pretty standard in real estate. We previously reported on CA South Development. synergy rv transport pay rate; stephen randolph todd. GARCIA-NAVARRO: And we reached out to the Church of Scientology about the Tampa Bay Times report. Aaron Smith-Levin, a former Sea Org member, said a church ethics officer in 1993 pressured Smith-Levins father-in-law to sell Scientology a downtown property it wanted for expansion. They have completed courses and spiritual counseling that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Defectors have said they were paid less than $50 a week. All five City Council members said they doubted the rash of purchases were unrelated. Nearly all of the properties were bought through limited liability companies, which are required to disclose their operators but not their owners. 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