The church offered $15 million for the parcel. It teaches that expanding Scientology is key to saving the world, then wields a system of totalitarian policies to keep parishioners in line. CBRE is an acronym for CB Richard Ellis. At first, I just wanted to make a short video about the buildings and programs they are doing in clearwater. pauline hanson dancing with the stars; just jerk dance members; what happens if a teacher gets a dui Times reporters built a database of hundreds of properties in the center of Clearwaters downtown. We are an equal opportunity employer and fully EEOC compliant. The family of Moises Agami, a developer whose companies bought 20 storefronts and a parking lot last year, has donated at least $10 million. February 1976: Scientology files a $1 million lawsuit against Cazares alleging he violated its constitutional rights with his public criticism. Write by: . However, this tactic can backfire when it comes across as answering a question no one has asked. Inc. magazine's 2019 report on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in Clearwater. This is a very interesting report. Nearly all of the properties were bought through limited liability companies, which are required to disclose their operators but not their owners. All 45 North Marina properties were purchased by companies managed or operated by two longtime members of Scientology: Steven Hayes, an attorney who has done legal work on behalf of church related organizations for more than two decades, and Norm Novitsky, a businessperson who has donated at least $5 million to Scientology. So we kept our eye on the downtown purchases. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. He is linked to the Church of Scientology via the Epsteins and Trish Duggan. We will continue research on our new Trish Duggan theory. But companies controlled by different parishioners bought neighboring properties that create clear assemblages of land. 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. In six cases, buyers paid quadruple the propertys value. Of the $103 million spent, $99 million was paid in cash. Scientology leader David Miscavige told city officials the properties were part of the churchs proposed retail redevelopment plan. Church of Scientology website It is with great pride we welcome you to the Church of Scientology of Melbourne. 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. 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. All rights reserved. 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. Visitors walk through downtown on a Friday. Columnist Stephanie Hayes will share thoughts, feelings and funny business with you every Monday. February 27, 2023 endeavor air pilot contract No Comments . 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. Hayes, the attorney and parishioner involved in the rest of the North Marina purchases, was added as manager on the companies filings. Gentile also purchased several Clearwater companies owned by Scientologists who may have invested the proceeds into land deals. After that, the Times writes, Scientology began grabbing property at an unprecedented rate, adding that they now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront, putting the secretive church firmly in control of the areas future. In fact, 22 of the first 33 buildings on Cleveland Street, considered the downtown districts main artery, are tied to Scientology. All they did was act like children and make crude sex/homophobic/racial jokes about being raped, gangbanged, etc. But even when the church isnt in control, its presence can deter development. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. And the properties cover about 100 acres. Please consider supporting us with a tax-deductible donation to the Tampa Bay Times Investigative Fund. In 2017 the church acquired six downtown Clearwater retail properties through limited liability companies. Scientologists deal with useful non-Scientologists quite often. But now these LLCs tied to Scientology control the retail district. Construction on eight townhomes on the south end of the marina began Oct. 1, according to county records. The city wants to turn downtown into a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. The Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have spent $103 million since 2017 buying about 100 properties. A sign in front of the business says, "Notice: This is one of the only spas in downtown Clearwater not owned by a Scientologist .". Then the council interfered with a land deal that Scientology demanded for its plan. It has terrorized defectors with private investigators, smear campaigns and relentless litigation. I saw a business opportunity, he said. businesses owned by scientologistsdoes keegan allen have a child 26th February 2023 / in west warwick viewpoint / by / in west warwick viewpoint / by Half the sales were for more than double what the properties were valued at by the county property appraiser. 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. Its too soon to say how the shift in ownership will affect downtown. In September, Andrus completed construction there on Marina Bay 880, two towers that hug the marina with 87 luxury condos and amenities like an Olympic-sized pool and sauna. What Clearwaters City Council thinks, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, See a slideshow of all the churchs buildings. Council members were less delighted by the discovery, however especially since many of the lots and storefronts purchased by owners with Scientology ties are sitting vacant while the Clearwater City Council aims to turn the downtown waterfront into a dining and entertainment destination. In the article cited, Riley makes an interesting comment (emphasis ours): The opportunity Riley is pursuing to activate the 21 acres is similar to his project in Mesa, Arizona, where he acquired and developed nine properties. They were very secretive, he said. 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 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. I think it's comparable to say it's kind of, like, if there were to be a Vatican reporter in Vatican City. The Times counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions. GPB Capital Holdings: Court-Appointed Monitors Report on Q4 2022 Activities. Theyve got one intention, and one intention only, De Vocht said. He publicly asked why there were security cards with billy clubs and mace on the roof. Four high-ranking defectors describe bizarre behavior and physical beatings inflicted by Scientology leader David Miscavige. Please! If the council in 2020 isnt on board with doing something his way, hes going to do it himself.. 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. Scientologys extraordinary influence over its members has been documented in government investigations and testimony from former parishioners throughout its 65-year history. Many of their properties weren't listed for sale. Real estate agent Brian Andrus controls seven properties bought around the citys public boat ramp. But that is where it ends. and last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019. 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. You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear, he said, so its tough to make economic sense out of it.. 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? I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. The majority of this property now stands vacant, and given the Church's tax exempt status, has limitless potential for development. Paid in cash. About $15.9 million was paid in cash. 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.. His job appears to be one of a PR guy who can appeal to Clearwater City Government. 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. Bosi wasnt interested. Osman Ozsan is of interest to us because he is connected to Rod Riley, a non-Scientologist realtor and real estate developer from Arizona. It is a big faux pas in business PR to bring up the subject of religion when it is absolutely unnecessary to do so. An elevated walkway connects the building to the Fort Harrison Hotel, the churchs first purchase in the city in 1975. 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. MCMANUS: It kind of started in early 2017. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What is the view of the local community? Scientologist normally dont deal with outsiders in my experience. 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. The church has amassed 60 properties in Pinellas County since arriving in 1975. Once we dug into the data and pulled records, we found that LLCs tied to the Church of Scientology had bought about 100 properties. Thank you for having us. He demanded to see their financials, their board of directors. Click here to read the story. We previously reported on CA South Development. These are the companies and names on this list (put into alphabetical order, I also added what are probably the largest scientology owned businesses in the area KnowB4, NTC, Consumer Sales Solutions and Energy Professionals: Axiom Bahia Property Management (Raul Aleman) Blue Streak Docs (Sam Gendusa) Buzzazz Business Solutions (Keanan Kintzel) In the world of poker this is called a tell. The churchs influence comes from the estimated $3 billion in cash and assets it has collected from its followers. That's the findings of a story in the Tampa Bay Times that's headlined clear takeover. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler brokered at least 10 downtown sales on behalf of seven buyers. Then in 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate. 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. But David Kerr, a local real estate agent and parishioner, walked in one day with an offer. Scientology has said it has 10 million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. The city received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land at the southeast corner of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue. MCMANUS: Well, our reporting shows that Scientology has a big interest in preserving its downtown campus. Nearly two years after the properties were sold to a company run by two Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have been submitted. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Timeswith an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. 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. The other side of that is flag is run by the Sea Org, the Scientology's full-time workforce. businesses owned by scientologists. Then he would try again, with new council members. Flag is what they call it, and it's the international spiritual headquarters of the church. Much of downtown Clearwater is now owned by people or companies tied to Scientology, a report finds. 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. (CBRE) in April 2016. 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. The church requires followers to shun family members, friends and business contacts who defy it. Seventy-three percent of the property is tax-exempt for religious purposes. Scientologys survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater. He had committed to downtown in 1997. Clarification made on CBRE and thank you for pointing that out. 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. Searcy felt like hed created a canvas for a dream hotel, condo and retail project: near the bridge to Clearwater Beach, no height restrictions, all under $5 million. This makes no sense, except of course to a bigot.. 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. The Florida Secretary of State records show the firm went dormant in 2012. We built a graphic demonstrating just how little is left. Instead, Epstein took the formal step of using an affidavit to deny that the Church of Scientology is not the client. Almost immediately, a decades-long trickle of purchases by church members turned into a flood. 2. But Scientologist-controlled companies are also sitting on at least 26 vacant lots and 31 empty storefronts and offices. Your characterization that his religious affiliations somehow control his business activities is evidence of personal bias against his religion, Zaretsky wrote. But far more non-Scientologists are moving out. Xenu Who? [ The full history: Scientologys 40 years of conflict with the City of Clearwater, recapped ]. In Mesa, its the Mormon Church that dominates the area and I was able to work in that environment. (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. 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. ( magazine) Applied Philosophy ARC Straightwire (ARC stands for affinity-reality-communication) ARC Fil Direct Audited NOTs (NOT stands for NED [New Era Dianetics] Operating Thetan) The Auditor ), [ Slideshow: See every building owned by the church ], In the 90s, a Scientology magazine listed the churchs goals for 2000. Clearwater is the center of that revenue stream. The church, its members and companies they control now own 185 properties that cover 101 acres in the center of downtown. It appears that Project Normandy is still operational. Seventy-one percent of the 60 parcels the Church of Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas County are tax-exempt for religious purposes. Its important for me to communicate with the Scientologists in Clearwater and have that ability to work side-by-side, Riley said, also noting he is now based in Clearwater. He told Fischler that before Scientology bought the Fort Harrison Hotel in 1975 he worked there as a busboy. My true love gave to me/Three French hens/Two turtle doves/And a partridge in a pear tree). 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. Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. 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 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 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 . 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. She said, Well, well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled. It is headed by David Miscavige [1] . Riley thereafter became a Regional Manager forCB Richard Ellis. Rice said hes been surprised that he has not been approached by brokers trying to buy his 10,000-square-foot building. 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. The Church is the largest property taxpayer in downtown Clearwater, paying nearly $1 million in property taxes last year. But on days with no events, downtown feels deserted. During spiritual counseling, parishioners are interrogated about their deepest secrets, which are recorded in folders and stored indefinitely. Gentile also purchased several Clearwater companies owned by Scientologists who may have invested the proceeds into land deals. It said information in parishioner folders is sacrosanct and claims of blackmail have long since been disproven.. Im concerned, Mayor Frank Hibbard said. We don't know what they're planning to do with the properties. Agami also signed two more leases on the same block with restaurants owned by people not connected to the church. . 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. Hes starting to assemble properties, Allbritton said. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with reporter Tracey McManus. 9,523 Scientologists live in the Tampa Bay area. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. (Everything owned by parishioner-run companies is still on the tax rolls. "You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear," he said, "so it's tough to make economic sense out . The Church takes seriously its responsibility and interest in the future of the area. About 72 percent of those properties are tax exempt for religious uses. Ive been waiting for this neighborhood to clean up for 30 years, and I still think its around the corner, Rice said. Take away the church footprint, a few condo towers and all buildings owned by the government. All five City Council members said they doubted the rash of purchases were unrelated. There are 22 Church of Scientology facilities in downtown Clearwater. The hotel has 11 stories and features 220 rooms, three restaurants, a swimming pool and a . After his stint at CBRE, Riley worked for Caliber Wells in Scottsdale, Arizona and then left the firm. Hormel says inflation, supply chain issues and weak sales hit earnings, Macy's shares surge as retailer posts earnings well ahead of forecasts, A supposed Scientology cruise ship is quarantined in St. Lucia over measles, Saturday Night Live star Chloe Fineman says Lorne Michaels gave her the best financial advice, As Republicans further intensify Hunter Biden focus, Attorney General Garland insists hes remained hands-off in years-old investigation, Teslas stock falls 5% as Elon Musks Master Plan 3 is short on details about both cars and finances, What's next for bonds in 2023 after the worst year in history. Rileys Clearwater Marina District development has a $350 million price tag on it. Longtime City Manager Bill Horne said he cant tell whether the church wants the same thing. 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. 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