Scientology plans control of downtown Clearwater(FL) for retail makeover

[HAB911]

CLEARWATER — The Church of Scientology is maneuvering to control all downtown real estate to create a master retail district that will operate under its management and oversight.

The plan, according to two city officials briefed by Scientology leader David Miscavige, requires all property from Osceola to Myrtle avenues between Drew and Pierce streets being bought by the church, its parishioners or other owners willing to participate.

The concept involves recruiting a few major, national retailers to anchor the district and filling the grid with handpicked businesses all at one time, similar to how an outdoor mall is established, said Community Redevelopment Agency Director Seth Taylor and City Manager Bill Horne, who in October were shown renderings of the retail strategy by Miscavige but not given copies.

The plan does not require approval from elected officials or voters, but is a vision the church has already started implementing on its own with the help of consultants and an aggressive acquisition of property in the downtown core.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/scientology-plans-control-of-downtown-clearwater-for-retail-makeover/2315501

[Heddi]

1. I live in Clearwater

they have already bought up a couple of businesses -- I believe a tire shop or gas station and some other building using shell companies so they wouldn't raise the ire of city council

Here it is--- just read this weekend

http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/scientology-leader-to-visit-clearwater-officials-a-week-before-vote-on/2315026

"Although Shaw told the Times that the church "has no further plans to expand our campus downtown," an anonymous buyer over the past month acquired the city's largest office tower and a nearby auto garage through shell companies, prompting elected officials to assume the church is involved."

This asshole cult brings nothing to the city of Clearwater. They are a blight. You go downtown near their Flag Base campus and it's so bizarre--hundreds of people walking around in these uniforms like airline flight attendants. Nope, it's Scientologists. And god forbid you accidentally turn into the parking area for the Fort Harrison Hotel (their spiritual headquarters) and need to turn around, like I did last year. It truly was an accident and I thought I was turning down one street but I turned into the parking lot by mistake. Did a turn around and I thought they were going to pull me out of the car and beat me. Shaking fists, screaming...um, 3 point turn in a Subaru Forester, dude. Calm down. Go get audited.

[HAB911]

2. Yeah I know

we drive over from Tampa to Frenchies for lunch sometimes and it is creepy as hell.

[Heddi]

3. You know, I want to like Frenchie's SO BAD

but every time I go there the food is just...eh. Last time I got seared tuna something or other and it wasn't seared, was overcooked. The scallops were overcooked and rubbery and the peel-n-eat shrimp was....weird.

But everyone else loves them. THEY LOVE THEM OMG LOVELOVELOVE frenchie's.

[HAB911]

5. We also liked RustyBellies in Tarpon

but I'm about over that too

[Heddi]

7. If you like BBQ

we have found that Frankie's Patriot BBQ on ulmerton and 19 is really good. Kind of repub but I can put politics aside when we're talking about pulled pork.

[HAB911]

9. when going out we try to stick to foods we can't/don't do at home

and I BBQ/grill/smoke lots of stuff

seafood one the other hand.....

[Heddi]

10. good point. Shepherds big seafood buffet is good

Well, I mean it's the standard crab legs and sliced rib eye $32 pp buffet. I went there once for my bday so i could get crab legs.

I need to find some seafood place. Tell me if you find something good -- I'm in Clearwater, close to Safety Harbor.

[mopinko]

4. and they wont have to pay property taxes, i assume.

these assholes really need their tax exempt status repealed.

[HAB911]

6. Maybe when Pence makes this a Christian Nation again..............

[Laffy Kat]

8. We have the same thing in my town on a much smaller scale.

One of those "super" churches set up shop here in Lafayette and they are buying out all of the real estate near their location. Mom & Pop's that have been here forever are losing their leases. It's horrible.