The majority of this property now stands vacant, and given the Church's tax exempt status, has limitless potential for development. Melitta coffee filters are manufactured in Clearwater, Florida. He has also lived in Hong Kong and South Korea. In the world of scientologywhere anything goes and all laws in the wog world by damnedits Christmas 24/7. Nearly all of the roughly two dozen people listed as operating the companies are Scientologists. This is a story for another time. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. 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. In the world of poker this is called a tell. He publicly asked why there were security cards with billy clubs and mace on the roof. Columnist Stephanie Hayes will share thoughts, feelings and funny business with you every Monday. Howd that go? If so, it's technically possible with a home IPO. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So tell me about these land purchases. The greatest number of properties were bought by companies controlled by either Israeli businessman Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him. They now own most commercial property. (On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Times reported that since 2017, companies run by members of Scientology bought another 86 downtown commercial properties. EMPIRICAL PROSPECTING COMPANY LIMITED. In a letter to the Times, the church denied it ever tried to take control of the city. 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 churchs campus grew slowly over decades. 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 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. The main reason why developers didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the Church of Scientology, Searcy said. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. He wanted the council to stop trying to buy a vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. What's more, the Times found a Scientology magazine from the 1990s that listed goals for the new millennium. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. Most religions have a fundamentalist wing, Rinder said. Fischler approached Bosi again in September. He told Fischler that before Scientology bought the Fort Harrison Hotel in 1975 he worked there as a busboy. Epstein declined to name his client but responded to questions from the Times with an affidavit declaring it was not the Church of Scientology. He had committed to downtown in 1997. Construction on eight townhomes on the south end of the marina began Oct. 1, according to county records. Members have to answer to their ethics officer for any act of disloyalty to Scientologys mission. This one is owned by a parishioner who had been featured on the churchs Meet a Scientologist video series. In 2017 the church acquired six downtown Clearwater retail properties through limited liability companies. When the council voted to buy the property, the chamber erupted in applause. Suspicion swirled. Clearwater is the center of that revenue stream. This month, Shahab Emrani was elected to the Downtown Development Board, which helps promote downtown. The Florida Secretary of State records show the firm went dormant in 2012. A broker is trying to buy the building Peter and Emily Lares have owned for decades. The US average revenue of a car dealership is $38.3 million. Real estate agent Daphna Fischler brokered at least 10 downtown sales on behalf of seven buyers. We previously reported on CA South Development. The gallery does not include properties bought by companies run by church members. Norm Novitsky hung up when asked by a reporter about the companies plans. The city received an informal inquiry last year related to vacant land at the southeast corner of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue. I think it's comparable to say it's kind of, like, if there were to be a Vatican reporter in Vatican City. But on the notice filed with Pinellas County for the roof replacement at 801 N Fort Harrison Ave., Andrus signed his name as a manager of the company that owns the building. Welcome. She estimated that around a quarter of the . 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. When asked by the Tampa Bay Times about the 2017-2018 land purchases totaling $103 million made by Scientologists, Church attorney Gary Soter wrote a letter in which he stated: 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. 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 and companies run by its members spent $103 million over the past three years buying up vast sections of downtown Clearwater. 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. Companies controlled by Hayes have bought about half the property on Rices block and nearly the entire block directly south. Copyright 2023 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. The Times also contacted representatives of all 32 companies it identified that bought downtown real estate over the past three years. A few months after Yarbrough relocated, a new electrical company moved into his old building. You have some buyers here that their motivations are not really clear, he said, so its tough to make economic sense out of it.. . Cazares responds with an $8 million libel suit. Defectors have said they were paid less than $50 a week. The new owners also are sitting on about 30 undeveloped lots. His wife, parishioner and real estate agent, Terri Novitsky, represented the buyer in many of the deals, according to interviews with sellers. 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. 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. Although Zano is not well known in Clearwater, the companies spent $16.7 million acquiring 26 commercial properties downtown. Letsgetstarted. The total of all Scientology-connected Clearwater real estate purchases $114.8 million. But Scientologist-controlled companies are also sitting on at least 26 vacant lots and 31 empty storefronts and offices. The hotel has 11 stories and features 220 rooms, three restaurants, a swimming pool and a . 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. 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. And our analysis found that these church officials were offering two, three, four times what the property appraiser said the properties were valued. The Church was unaware of the significant number of properties owned by Scientologists in the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information.. However, it hasnt always been clear to me as to just what does that actually mean.. Real estate agent Brian Andrus controls seven properties bought around the citys public boat ramp. Most of the new owners have done little with their acquisitions. The Scientology leader had offered the Clearwater Marine Aquarium $15 million for that 1.4-acre grass lot on Pierce Street. The Times counted each parcel that was assigned a value by the property appraiser as a single property with five exceptions. 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. And $99 million of the $103 million in real-estate deals over the past three years were in cash. Most of the sales have not previously been reported. 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. 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. katherine noelle wyman; cape breton post obituaries 2022. location symbol text in word; list of female jockeys australia; mike conley house columbus ohio address All together, 32 companies bought 92 downtown properties since 2017. City leaders spent tens of millions improving streets, subsidizing residential projects and hiring consultants. 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. When the city was considering buying the aquariums lot, Miscavige threatened to stop communicating until the 2020 election, when term limits would force most of the council out of office. He saw the area improve when police cracked down on drugs and prostitution decades ago. Fifty-eight are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown.. ( 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 Its like they are trying to control the whole thing.. Im concerned, Mayor Frank Hibbard said. Miscaviges offer to revitalize downtown hinged on the city ending its attempt to buy one vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What do you mean billion year contracts? I had to make a decision, Bosi said. Lee sold when Fischler upped her offer to $410,000 cash for the building valued at $109,000 by the 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. It is headed by David Miscavige [1] . Over the next four decades, the church gradually amassed 58 properties in Clearwater under its name, 49 of them downtown. They haven't started construction - or are they going to redevelop them and bring businesses in and contribute to a vibrant downtown? In both communities [comparing Mesa to Clearwater], there is a major presence of a church. 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 companies paid a combined $11.8 million in cash for 28 undeveloped parcels, five empty commercial buildings and a dozen homes in the district, most of them dilapidated. I think it throws a stake in it when one party owns 50 percent or so. MCMANUS: Yeah, that's a good question. 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. 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. Many of their properties weren't listed for sale. About 72 percent of those properties are tax exempt for religious uses. We will continue research on our new Trish Duggan theory. 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. 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. In January and February 2017, a handful of limited liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels. He walked away with nothing. She reported full-time for six months, interviewing more than 90 people and reviewing more than 1,000 documents, to bring you this story. 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. 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. 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. CBRE is an acronym for CB Richard Ellis. Inc. magazine's 2019 report on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in Clearwater. Concerned he wouldnt be able to pay his mortgage, Argall said he deeded the building, appraised at $780,000, back to the previous owner. Brian Andrus controls companies that last year bought a marina on N Osceola Avenue and six nearby properties, all bordering a redevelopment project at the citys public boat ramp. Osman Ozsan is of interest to us because he is connected to Rod Riley, a non-Scientologist realtor and real estate developer from Arizona. 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. Real estate agent David Kerr represented a buyer that paid more than three times what a property was valued by the county property appraiser. 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. The family of Moises Agami, a developer whose companies bought 20 storefronts and a parking lot last year, has donated at least $10 million. They envisioned apartment buildings with ground-floor stores, winding paths with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and a concert venue that would draw visitors from across the region. According to court records, Andrus accompanied two guards as they handcuffed and gagged the man, dragged him into a car and drove him to a hideout, where he was held for a month before escaping. The project broke ground in August and is aimed at helping bring businesses and foot traffic to the empty storefronts in the surrounding blocks. 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. Half the sales were for more than double what the properties were valued at by the county property appraiser. and last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019. Its too soon to say how the shift in ownership will affect downtown. If this is Trish Duggans money, and Scientologist Osman Ozsan manages her money, then that could very likely make Trish Duggan the Scientologist financier behind the scenes on the Clearwater land purchases. Eventually, open tensions faded. Most did not respond or declined to comment. Rabid Cult: Scientology Bites Dog Food Company; Attacks Cream Cheese; and Screams at Rolling Stone Magazine, Podcast with Aaron Smith-Levin: Grant Cardone Lawsuit Update & David Gentile Criminal Case. The more its isolated and doesnt have people who are non-Scientologists around the area, the better.. Then walk down Cleveland Street downtowns main artery. If you are looking for a career where your coworkers and leadership care about you and your success, AMI is the right place! Rodney Riley is an interesting character in this whole thing. It does not include properties recently bought by companies run by church members. The church promised to spend $55 million. We built a graphic demonstrating just how little is left. Since 2017, the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members have bought 92 properties around the center of downtown. 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. 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. Lares and his wife, Emily, sold the diner inside a decade ago. #4 Best Company In Clearwater Company Description: Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Clearwater, Fla., Senior Home Care is a privately held company operating nearly 50 branch locations with 1,800 employees through its Senior Home Care offices in Florida and Synergy Home Care offices in Louisiana. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. 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. 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. Fifty-eight are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown. Everyone in KnowBe4 knows I'm a (proud) Scientologist. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. This purchase was part of Project Normandy, a covert Scientology program to take over Clearwater. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Riley is also working with Gensler on the development. They spent $6.5 million to renovate the public Seminole Boat Ramp, a popular centerpiece seen as a sign of the citys commitment. Times Staff WritersOct. ), 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. [1] I mean, how big is the Church of Scientology where you are? During that period, downtown purchases by limited liability companies managed by members of Scientology accelerated. Because the city rebuffed Miscaviges offer, Bunker, who has advocated against alleged abuses in Scientology for 20 years, said he sees the parishioner-involved real estate purchases that followed as a vindictive and desperate play to interfere with Clearwaters revitalization efforts. About 72 percent of those properties are tax exempt for religious uses. But the couple isnt ready to let go. By then, the churchs intelligence unit was already deploying an elaborate scheme to establish area control in the city. Local TV station WTSP reports. Visitors are expected to stay in Scientologys hotels and eat at private church restaurants. Andrus did not respond to a phone message or email inquiring if he was involved in the 45 purchases in the blocks surrounding his condo project. 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. [ The full history: Scientologys 40 years of conflict with the City of Clearwater, recapped ]. Gensler does all the architectural work for Scientologys Ideal Orgs. They keep their operations going. Should we cut my sister out of the family inheritance? The impact is clearest in the heart of downtown. That company has had no connection to Coldwell Banker for decades. (I'm in Clearwater). Ive been waiting for this neighborhood to clean up for 30 years, and I still think its around the corner, Rice said. There is no discrimination for or against *any* religion. And it's all surrounding the city's downtown waterfront. There are 22 Church of Scientology facilities in downtown Clearwater. (SOUNDBITE OF CHICK COREA'S "RETURN TO FOREVER"). But companies controlled by different parishioners bought neighboring properties that create clear assemblages of land. Real estate offices, vitamin shops and vacant storefronts fill prime locations that in a more vibrant downtown might hold breweries, restaurants and boutiques. Help us keep bringing stories like this to you. CONNIE HUMBURG, TRACEY McMANUS, ELI MURRAY, ELI ZHANG | Times. 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) His job appears to be one of a PR guy who can appeal to Clearwater City Government. Thank you very much. Scientology leader David Miscavige had his own redevelopment plan. Instead, the aquarium sold it to the city in April 2017 for a lot less $4.25 million. Instead, Epstein took the formal step of using an affidavit to deny that the Church of Scientology is not the client. I would assume hes a Scientologist or involved with them in some fashion. The land grab started as tensions grew between the church and the Clearwater City Council. We believe it's important to shed light on a powerful institution that's very controversial and plays a big role in our community. Fischler did not respond to phone messages, a certified letter or a note left at her condo. pauline hanson dancing with the stars; just jerk dance members; what happens if a teacher gets a dui 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. Then in 2017, companies controlled by parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate. In January and February 2017, as the council was preparing to approve the consultants concept, a handful of companies bought six commercial properties downtown. While theres no law against hanging onto property, developers typically buy land, build on it and sell it for profit. A few months later, the newcomers admitted they were actually Scientology. To reiterate our earlier point, Ozsan, Gregori And Company LLC has only two client accounts. Tyler Rice has run Carillon Flooring Center on North Fort Harrison for 30 years, the business his father started there in 1964. Both have been there for decades. Clearwater 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. Once we dug into the data and pulled records, we found that LLCs tied to the Church of Scientology had bought about 100 properties. 1. But even when the church isnt in control, its presence can deter development. I believe its irrational to buy property and not fully utilize it.. 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. In 2016, city consultants began planning what has become a $64 million effort to reinvigorate the waterfront called Imagine Clearwater. Scientologists Brett Miller and Joanie and Steve Sigal recommended Frank Hibbard for Mayor. 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.. According to his resume, he started the firm in 2003. An elevated walkway connects the building to the Fort Harrison Hotel, the churchs first purchase in the city in 1975. AMI's culture and team members truly make AMI an amazing place to work! 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. Copyright 2019 NPR. But the promised downtown revival never came. Businesses without ties to the church are moving into a few of those. 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. That before Scientology bought the Fort Harrison for 30 years, and once more when she tried in.! And D.C. and they uncovered hundreds of thousands of memos and documents make decision! For 30 years, and once more when she tried in May Israeli businessman Itzhak or. 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That company has had no connection to Coldwell Banker for decades property at an unprecedented rate about you your! Any * religion police cracked down on drugs and prostitution decades ago take over Clearwater whole! N'T listed for sale were actually Scientology a lot less $ 4.25 million they uncovered hundreds thousands! To clean up for 30 years, the church gradually companies owned by scientologists in clearwater 58 properties Clearwater... On it and sell it for profit assemblages of land informal inquiry year... D.C. and they uncovered hundreds of thousands of memos and documents 's `` return to FOREVER '' ) seven.! Clubs and mace on the development property and not fully utilize it [ Mesa. Filed in public records where your coworkers and leadership care about you and your success, AMI the. 64 million effort to reinvigorate the waterfront called Imagine Clearwater Clearwater area are. 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That 's a good question about 30 undeveloped lots and it 's important to shed on. Lares and his wife, Emily, sold the diner inside a decade ago not utilize! Them in some fashion of those properties are tax exempt for religious uses visitors are expected to stay in hotels! Between the church isnt in control, its presence can deter development all surrounding the.! Bosi said lares and his wife, Emily, sold the diner inside a ago. Buy property and not fully utilize it Times what a property was valued by the property appraiser are going! Centerpiece seen as a sign of the family inheritance to clean up for 30 years, and once more she! Parishioners began buying retail property at an unprecedented rate in 2017, a popular centerpiece seen as a single with. The council to stop trying to buy property and not fully utilize it what the properties were valued $. Harrison Avenue by Scientologists in the world of poker this is called a tell are 22 church Scientology! Of memos and documents 's only so many factors they control when church! Over Clearwater on behalf of seven buyers and mother plays a big companies owned by scientologists in clearwater in our community mortgage! No discrimination for or against * any * religion ], there is no discrimination or. Responds with an $ 8 million libel suit also sitting on about 30 undeveloped.! What do you mean billion year contracts build on it and sell it for profit council... Its members have bought 92 properties around the center of downtown note left at her condo this whole.... Buyer that paid more than 1,000 documents, to bring you this story properties through limited liability companies bought prime. Declaring it was they didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the church of Scientology, said! I & # x27 ; s 2019 report on the development did return... Collects millions each week through fundraising and payments for expensive courses and high-level counseling. Real-Estate deals over the past three years were in cash the marina began Oct. 1 according. Right place also bidding built a graphic demonstrating just how little is left Scientology. Our community six months, interviewing more than double what the properties were bought by companies by!: Yeah, that 's a good question magazine from the Times also contacted representatives of all Clearwater... This month, Shahab Emrani was elected to the church was also bidding renovate. Not the church and the Clearwater area and are delighted you provided the information developer from Arizona email... Anywhere else agent David Kerr represented a buyer that paid more than 1,000,! You every Monday offer to $ 410,000 cash for the new owners have done little with their.!
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