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. Thank you very much. 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 . Do you own your house? But the promised downtown revival never came. The city and the church fought in court for years. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. Seventy-one percent of the 60 parcels the Church of Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas County are tax-exempt for religious purposes. 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. Scientologys survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater. Although Zano is not well known in Clearwater, the companies spent $16.7 million acquiring 26 commercial properties downtown. Over the past two years, the properties surrounding the shop have been sold to Scientologist-controlled companies. A few weeks later, John Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22 years. In a letter, the church said the Times is misinterpreting Scientology policy and that other religions also practice shunning. In January and February 2017, a handful of limited liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels. However, we reserve our prior opinion and modify it by stating that some GPB Capital money may be in the Clearwater real estate purchases mix. Thats a factor we do not control, Delk said. That's the findings of a story in the Tampa Bay Times that's headlined clear takeover. City leaders spent tens of millions improving streets, subsidizing residential projects and hiring consultants. Agami also signed two more leases on the same block with restaurants owned by people not connected to the church. My plan is to keep renting, Huestler said. He owns Stonebridge Real Estate and served as president of the Florida Gulfcoast Commercial Association of Realtors in 2017. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What is the view of the local community? Fischler, a local real estate agent, negotiated at least 10 of the downtown deals, according to interviews with sellers. Howd that go? In her bombshell 2019 news story Clear Takeover, Tracey McManus revealed that $103 million in Downtown Clearwater land purchases were made by a series of LLC's owned by Scientologists. 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. Mike Rinder, who led Scientologys intelligence arm before defecting in 2007, said any property owned by a parishioner is in the churchs control. They have control over what businesses, if any, come in. Flag is what they call it, and it's the international spiritual headquarters of the church. Additional Clearwater real estate purchases began in 2019. And yes, everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out . Miscavige cut off communication with the city. Zano did not respond to questions about what his plans for the properties. They now own most commercial property. TRACEY MCMANUS: Hi, Lulu. If Epsteins client was not the Church of Scientology then who is his client? Over half are owned or operated by Scientologists. Gulf Coast Marine and ClearwaterPlumbing. 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. Rodney Riley is the CEO of RSR Capital Advisors in Clearwater, Florida. Instead, the aquarium sold it to the city in April 2017 for a lot less $4.25 million. Today, 10 years later, the economic influence of Scientologists in the community is commensurately higher. The Church of Scientology has done many things at a remove or by a ruse, feint, or stratagem. Thank you for having us. 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. Its members bought property on surrounding blocks. Here is a map showing the parcels in purple which Riley is acquiring: We have previously offered our opinion that the $102 million in Downtown Clearwater land purchases made by Scientologists came from GPB Capital Holdings. 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. The family of Moises Agami, a developer whose companies bought 20 storefronts and a parking lot last year, has donated at least $10 million. And he was going to recruit high-end retail to some of the empty storefronts because downtown Clearwater's pretty depressed. Coincident with this Riley-registered RSR Capital Advisors as an LLC in Florida on March 21, 2022. They now own most commercial property on every block within walking distance of the waterfront. Project Normandy was described in one of hundreds of internal memos Scientology officials exchanged about their plans to infiltrate and control Clearwater. We built a graphic demonstrating just how little is left. 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. 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. Almost immediately, a decades-long trickle of purchases by church members turned into a flood. The Church was unaware of the land purchases? Companies tied to the Church of Scientology paid millions in cash for 45 properties near downtown with no major plans in sight. In the world of scientologywhere anything goes and all laws in the wog world by damnedits Christmas 24/7. Scientology leader David Miscavige told city officials the properties were part of the churchs proposed retail redevelopment plan. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. Much of downtown Clearwater is now owned by people or companies tied to Scientology, a report finds. 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. 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. Among them was to make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. Nicole Lyn Pesce is News Editor, Trending at MarketWatch and is based in New York. In 2018, Peter Lares got a call from Fischler, asking if hed sell the prominent building in the center of downtown that houses Emilys Restaurant. Members have to answer to their ethics officer for any act of disloyalty to Scientologys mission. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has bought 60 . Florida executes Donald Dillbeck for 1990 Tallahassee murder, Held without charge, a Miami inmates unborn child asks court for release in odd case, One step led Tampa runner, Gasparilla entrant to big weight loss, huge life gains, Hillsborough must right-size its school system | Editorial, companies tied to Scientology bought 100 properties, Winter the dolphin died of twisted intestines, necropsy report confirms. It has to be somebody with the money to invest in a real estate development deal. Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. ARKWRIGHT ROAD LIMITED 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. Can you give me a sense of the scale and how they have made this happen with the relatively little fanfare over the years? Argall left the church and was forced to abandon his business of more than 20 years. Seventy-three percent of the property is tax-exempt for religious purposes. My sister is always struggling with money and drugs: I own a house with my husband and mother. 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. Originally founded in 1955, we are the oldest Scientology Church in Australia. You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear, he said, so its tough to make economic sense out of it.. But now these LLCs tied to Scientology control the retail district. Visit a quote page and your recently viewed tickers will be displayed here. CBRE is an acronym for CB Richard Ellis. They haven't started construction - or are they going to redevelop them and bring businesses in and contribute to a vibrant downtown? 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. Ive been waiting for this neighborhood to clean up for 30 years, and I still think its around the corner, Rice said. 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. synergy rv transport pay rate; stephen randolph todd. In recent puff piece media coverage in Clearwater, we are told that Riley: is in the process of buying 15 tracts in the Clearwater Marina area to develop what he is calling the Clearwater Marina District a connected walkable community with modern offices, retail, luxury condos and a boutique hotel, as well as affordable housing. Be informed that their owners are local Scientologists who support the abuses of Scientology leader David Miscavige. And inside those findings was a plan that Scientology operatives had created and written to establish area control. 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 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. Even city leaders said they didnt know the full extent of the purchases until they were shown maps created by the Times. In those cases, four or more parcels purchased together clearly comprised a single piece of real estate. Pros. 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. But its potential is still untapped, with prime vacant land overlooking Clearwater Harbor. It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. 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. They were very secretive, he said. Most of the sales have not previously been reported. She said, Well, well have to invite you down for dinner, he recalled. He saw the area improve when police cracked down on drugs and prostitution decades ago. In January and February 2017, as the council was preparing to approve the consultants concept, a handful of companies bought six commercial properties downtown. Lee sold when Fischler upped her offer to $410,000 cash for the building valued at $109,000 by the property appraiser. After leaving Caliber Wells, Rodney Riley began working with Megan and Stephen Epstein. Shahab and Catherine Emrani who manage companies that purchased four commercial buildings, retail space in a condo and vacant land have given at least $1.75 million to the church. In Mesa, its the Mormon Church that dominates the area and I was able to work in that environment. Andrus did not respond to an email, phone message, a note left at his office or a certified letter. The city received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land at the southeast corner of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue. 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 told the paper. I would ask that you clarify the reference to CBRE. The Times also contacted representatives of all 32 companies it identified that bought downtown real estate over the past three years. Most did not respond or declined to comment. 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. And the Times found that in six cases buyers paid quadruple a propertys value. The church has amassed 60 properties in Pinellas County since arriving in 1975. But David Kerr, a local real estate agent and parishioner, walked in one day with an offer. 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. Times investigative reporters pored over 1,000 deeds and business records, and interviewed more than 90 people, to connect the dots from the church buying its first hotel in the area in 1975, to Scientologists and their businesses now owning 185 properties covering 101 acres in the heart of downtown Clearwater which is also Scientologys headquarters, and home to its flag campus, to which Scientologists across the globe make pilgrimages. Business Outlook. But far more non-Scientologists are moving out. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Explain to me why the paper has a Scientology reporter. We previously reported on CA South Development. and last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Times with an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. Any property owned by a Scientologist or linked to a Scientologist is owned by the church, because the church owns its parishioners, said De Vocht, the former executive in charge of real estate, who reported directly to Miscavige. And Scientology has an interest in keeping that insulated according to former executives that we've interviewed. The churchs campus grew slowly over decades. Delk described the projects which require voter approval as key to the plans success. The church offered $15 million for the parcel. Fischler did not respond to phone messages, a certified letter or a note left at her condo. How Riley made the jump from a regional Coldwell Banker slot in Arizona to suddenly handling a proposed $350 million Clearwater Marina District development is certainly interesting and raises questions we are looking into. 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. ( 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. Thats not happening with almost any of these properties., [ More reaction: What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover ]. Scientology came to downtown Clearwater in 1975. DEUTERIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Mayor Jane Castors partner vowed not to lobby the city. Candidates and Scientologists Emrani, Kintzel and . 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. City officials are trying to make the area a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. 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. He is not listed on the corporate filings for any of the eight limited liability companies that recently bought the North Marina properties. Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. 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. Jim Huestler is the blocks only holdout with a rental home on the northeast corner. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. 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. But Scientologist-controlled companies are also sitting on at least 26 vacant lots and 31 empty storefronts and offices. Instead, Epstein took the formal step of using an affidavit to deny that the Church of Scientology is not the client. 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. Accuracy and availability may vary. MCMANUS: Well, our reporting shows that Scientology has a big interest in preserving its downtown campus. The church acquired three others in a land swap. He is linked to the Church of Scientology via the Epsteins and Trish Duggan. (I'm in Clearwater). 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. David Gentile is creative with money and had hundreds of bank accounts and sub-funds when he ran GPB Capital. Tracey McManus is a Scientology reporter for the paper, and she joins us now. NIO stock swings lower after reporting losses that were much wider than expected, 3Ms stock surges after company says DOD data show 90% of earplug plaintiffs had normal hearing, Marc Benioffs Salesforce fairy tale is crumbling down around him. Osman Ozsan has been a Scientologist since the 1990s. Its too soon to say how the shift in ownership will affect downtown. 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. During that period, downtown purchases by limited liability companies managed by members of Scientology accelerated. The land grab started as tensions grew between the church and the Clearwater City Council. Huestler said broker Terri Novitsky calls him every now and again to see if hed be interested in selling. In six cases, buyers paid quadruple the propertys value. GARCIA-NAVARRO: Who are they buying from, and how much were they offering? They paid $26 million. Your characterization that his religious affiliations somehow control his business activities is evidence of personal bias against his religion, Zaretsky wrote. Deny that the church of Scientology then who is his client house with my husband and.... Formal step of using an affidavit to deny that the church of Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas since! And the Clearwater city Council any act of disloyalty to Scientologys mission via the Epsteins and Duggan... 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View of the church of Scientology this neighborhood to clean up for 30 years, the fought! Answer to their ethics officer for any of these properties., [ more reaction: Clearwaters.
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