Some have donated millions to the church. After his stint at CBRE, Riley worked for Caliber Wells in Scottsdale, Arizona and then left the firm. 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. It is all so convenient for Rodney that it appears to be scripted. And yes, everyone that works here is asked to keep politics and religion out . It appears that Project Normandy is still operational. 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 Times used the date that transactions were recorded in Clerk of Courts official record as the date of sale. 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. Scientologys survival depends on the preservation of its headquarters in Clearwater. 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. To reiterate our earlier point, Ozsan, Gregori And Company LLC has only two client accounts. 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. My sister is always struggling with money and drugs: I own a house with my husband and mother. 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. Rileys Clearwater Marina District development has a $350 million price tag on it. The Times counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions. There is ZERO chance of me getting sucked in. The downtown and North Marina properties bought by limited liability companies managed or operated by members of Scientology remain on the tax rolls. Cons. 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. In both communities [comparing Mesa to Clearwater], there is a major presence of a church. These workers sign billion year contracts, are paid very little, work around the clock. Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said in a statement that the church is not involved with the acquisitions. 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. 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. 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. Scientology Fines OTs $100,000 if They Talk About Xenu or Body Thetans! An elevated walkway connects the building to the Fort Harrison Hotel, the churchs first purchase in the city in 1975. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? Since 2017, the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have bought 92 properties around the center of downtown. What's more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. And inside those findings was a plan that Scientology operatives had created and written to establish area control. 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. Block after block, vacant lots sit untouched, and storefronts remain empty: A former jewelry store. Among them was to make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. 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. The family of Moises Agami, a developer whose companies bought 20 storefronts and a parking lot last year, has donated at least $10 million. The analysis considered property within the general boundaries of Cedar Street to the north, Missouri Avenue to the east, Chestnut Street to the south and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. However, this tactic can backfire when it comes across as answering a question no one has asked. Mayor Jane Castors partner vowed not to lobby the city. 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. Gentile also purchased several Clearwater companies owned by Scientologists who may have invested the proceeds into land deals. Aaron Smith-Levin, who left the world of Scientology after 29 years, is running to serve on the council in Clearwaterwhich has been home to the church's international spiritual headquarters. It is headed by David Miscavige [1] . It was owned by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. 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. But companies controlled by different parishioners bought neighboring properties that create clear assemblages of land. Scientologists Brett Miller and Joanie and Steve Sigal recommended Frank Hibbard for Mayor. Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has purchased 60 properties in Pinellas County under its name. Howd that go? Amazing Place to Work. Letsgetstarted. 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. 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. ), 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. 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. Local Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw and international spokeswoman Karin Pouw did not respond to repeated requests by the Times for an interview with Scientology leader David Miscavige. 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. At least eight businesses that got new landlords tied to Scientology moved out and have not been replaced. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard had written about doing away with governments and replacing them with a Scientology-run society. Theyve got one intention, and one intention only, De Vocht said. 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. In San Diego, Taylor Guitars and Deering Banjo Company. Bosi wasnt interested. February 27, 2023 endeavor air pilot contract No Comments . The campus collects millions each week through fundraising and payments for expensive courses and high-level religious counseling not offered anywhere else. 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. Melitta coffee filters are manufactured in Clearwater, Florida. Fifty-eight are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown.. And Scientology has an interest in keeping that insulated according to former executives that we've interviewed. Holding and president of Graymoss, Inc. [27] The architectural firm HOK was hired to deliver the project. The other side of that is flag is run by the Sea Org, the Scientology's full-time workforce. 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. But the couple isnt ready to let go. Write by: . Columnist Stephanie Hayes will share thoughts, feelings and funny business with you every Monday. Getty. businesses owned by scientologists. They adopted a master plan in 2016 that envisioned housing, a hotel and shopping to complement what they hope will be Clearwaters revitalized downtown less than a mile to the south. After FBI raids uncovered the infiltrations, city officials launched their own investigations. 9,523 Scientologists live in the Tampa Bay area. The church offered $15 million for the parcel. 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. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. In her November 2021 article on Scientologists buying land in Clearwater, Tracey McManus wrote (emphasis ours): The city received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land at the southeast corner of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue. Thats not happening with almost any of these properties., [ More reaction: What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover ]. Nearly two years after the properties were sold to a company run by two Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have been submitted. Then walk down Cleveland Street downtowns main artery. It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. The Florida Secretary of States record on Rod Rileys RST Capital Advisors LLC: Categories: Clearwater, Osman Ozsan, Trish Duggan, Tagged as: CA South Development, Clearwater Marina District, David Gentile, DEUTERIUM ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED, DEUTERIUM INVESTMENT ADVISORS LIMITED, Gary Soter, Gregori And Company LLC, Maria Dolores Gregori Fuster, Megan Epstein, Osman Ozsan, Ozsan, RSR Capital Advisors LLC, Stephen Epstein, Tampa Bay Times, Tracey McManus, Trish Duggan, Re: The companies paid a combined $11.8 million in cash for 28 undeveloped parcels, five empty commercial buildings and a dozen homes, When I read that, I couldnt help but be reminded of the English Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas (On the third day of Christmas/ Typically, when people buy commercial real estate, they move forward with construction or redevelopment. 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