Xenu-City.Net - One City. One Cult.OCCUPIED CLEARWATER
CAPTURED TERRITORY
Photo by Grady Ward
The Sandcastle, home of the OT documents in Occupied Clearwater

"With its acquisition of the Red Cross building, Scientology continues a land-buying spate in downtown that includes properties outside the block. Since June 1997, it has made 12 purchases totaling $7.2-million and expanded its Clearwater holdings to more than 30 properties valued at more than $35-million."

Scientologists buy Red Cross building
St. Petersburg Times, Dec. 29, 1998
CONTENTS

Scientology Properties
Includes data from and links to the Property Appraiser's website.

The "Super Power" Project
Scientology's new mind-fucking factory will be the largest structure in Pinellas County.

More News Articles
Scientology's economic conquest documented in the pages of the St. Pete Times, the Clearwater Sun, and more.
Any strategic occupation involves the capture of key territory and structures. Operation Goldmine was the covert Scientology plan which kicked off its buying spree in downtown Clearwater, starting with the Ft. Harrison Hotel for $2.3 million. Twenty-four years later, the cult owns more than $37 million of property in the region, roughly two-thirds of which they hold tax-free.

And they show no sign of letting up any time soon. In a Scientology promotional pamphlet for its new construction plans, Building the New Flag Mecca: The Super Power Expansion Project, the introduction states:

"Our plans are to expand the Mecca of Scientology - the Flag Land Base - establishing a space that will stand as the focal point for all of Scientology for years to come."

Scientology Properties in the Tampa Bay Area
Compiled from the records of the Property Appraisers of Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties

Building Address Owner Assessed Exempt
Bayside Motel 1840 N. Ft. Harrison Ave.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Flag Service Organization		 604,200 557,680
Tradewinds Motel 1824 N. Ft. Harrison Ave.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Flag Service Organization		 424,800 424,800
Clipper Motel 1850 N. Ft. Harrison Ave.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Flag Service Organization		 1,538,900 1,498,890
Sandcastle
(OT Levels)		 200 N. Osceola Ave.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Flag Service Organization		 5,220,000 3,810,600
CCHR 305 N. Ft. Harrison Ave.
Clearwater		 Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Clearwater 69,100 0
Hacienda Gardens
(RPF, EPF, and Sea Org)		 551 N. Saturn Ave.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Flag Service Organization		 6,277,100 4,745,490
Clearwater Academy 801 Drew St.
Clearwater		 Clearwater Academy International Inc. 1,304,800 1,304,800
Vacant lot Parcel #
15/29/15/00000/220/0200		 Clearwater Academy International Inc. 10,700 0
Yachtsman Motel 1024 Cleveland St.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Flag Service Organization		 1,208,300 0
Paved parking Magnolia Park, Blk 12, Lot 2
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Religious Trust		 47,600 0
FSO/CMO/Freewinds 118 N. Ft Harrison Ave.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Flag Service Organization		 675,900 675,900
Ft. Harrison Hotel 210 S. Ft. Harrison Ave.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Flag Service Organization		 11,528,400 8,415,730
Paved parking Court Square Lots 1-5
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Religious Trust		 99,500 0
A to Be School 531 Franklin St.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Religious Trust		 348,900 0
Vacant lot (?) 319 S. Garden Ave.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Religious Trust		 120,000 0
Vacant lot (?) Court Square Lots 13-16
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Religious Trust		 172,600 0
?
 109 N. Ft. Harrison Ave.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Flag Service Organization		 174,200 174,200
Clearwater Bank Bldg 500 Cleveland St.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Flag Service Organization		 1,802,700 1,496,240
? 711 Cleveland St.
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Flag Service Organization		 434,500 0
Vacant Lot
(Super Power Bldg site)		 Parcel #
16/29/15/94896/000/0010		 Church of Scientology
Religious Trust		 608,700 0
Vacant Lot
(Super Power Bldg site)		 Parcel #
16/29/15/94896/000/0060		 Church of Scientology
Religious Trust		 37,200 0
Vacant Lot
(Super Power Bldg site)		 Parcel #
16/29/15/94896/000/0070		 Church of Scientology
Religious Trust		 44,600 0
Vacant Lot
(Super Power Bldg site)		 Parcel #
16/29/15/94896/000/0080		 Church of Scientology
Religious Trust		 41,700 0
Vacant Lot
(Super Power Bldg site)		 Parcel #
16/29/15/94896/000/0090		 Church of Scientology
Religious Trust		 22,900 0
Vacant Lot
(Super Power Bldg site)		 Parcel #
16/29/15/94896/000/0100		 Church of Scientology
Religious Trust		 37,500 0
Vacant Lot
(Super Power Bldg site)		 Parcel #
16/29/15/94896/000/0101		 Church of Scientology
Board of Trustees		 79,100 0
Cadet School and
Sea Org berthing		 16432 U.S. Hwy 19
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology
Flag Service Organization		 2,259,000 1,874,970
Hubbard Dianetics Center 100 N. Belcher Road
Clearwater		 Church of Scientology - Mission (?) 383,900 0
Hubbard Dianetics Center 3617 Henderson Blvd
Tampa 33609		 Church of Scientology of Tampa 323,711 0
Osceola Inn 221 N. Osceola Ave.
Clearwater		 ? 2,090,500 0
    TOTALS 37,991,011 24,979,300

 

THE "SUPER POWER" PROJECT
  • Groundbreaking Ceremony
    Scientology's own website describing the ceremony held Nov. 21, 1998, with cult leader David Miscavige.
  • Scientology hires top Clearwater firm
    St. Petersburg Times, Dec. 2, 1999
    "Church officials reached an agreement for legal services on Tuesday with the firm of Johnson Blakely Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns. The account will be handled by Ed Armstrong, a partner in the firm and one of Clearwater's leading real estate, land use and zoning attorneys... In January, Armstrong, 42, will become chairman of the Clearwater Area Chamber of Commerce, a one-year volunteer post."
  • Scientology expansion raises parking question
    St. Petersburg Times, Aug. 20, 1999
    "Construction is well under way on a 370,000-square-foot Church of Scientology building that will take two years to build. When it opens, Scientology expects to have doubled its uniformed staff to 2,000. It also projects that the number of Scientology parishioners visiting Clearwater will increase from 1,500 to as many as 5,000 at any given time."
  • Scientologists' reputation on trial over woman's death
    Miami Herald, Dec. 27, 1998
    "Officials would like to embrace the church as a key mover in the revitalization of downtown. Pinellas County officials were looking on when the church broke ground Nov. 21 for its $45 million 'Super Power Project,' a 300,000-square-foot 'Mecca' for Scientologists that will be the third-largest building in town."
  • Town house plans in works
    St. Petersburg Times, Sep. 2, 1998
    "The Church of Scientology's international spiritual headquarters in Clearwater attracts a number of foreign visitors year-round. The church has said it needs more accommodations for visiting Scientologists, particularly because it is planning a 300,000-square-foot counseling and office building downtown."
  • Scientology continues to buy land
    St. Petersburg Times, Aug. 20, 1998
    "The latest purchase is part of the church's still-evolving plan to expand its counseling and hotel-like accommodations for visiting Scientologists, said church spokeswoman Pat Jones. In its publications, the church has referred to the plan as a large Scientology 'campus' in the city's downtown core."
  • Scientology project gets foundation
    St. Petersburg Times, Aug. 7, 1999
    "The project has gone through several design changes over the years, and brochures mailed recently to Scientology members indicate the church is still raising money to pay for the $45-million structure."
  • Scientology broadens its domain
    St. Petersburg Times, July 12, 1998
    "According to property records, three corporations representing the church have purchased eight properties since June 1997 at prices totaling $3.4-million. The purchases bring to 30 the number of Clearwater properties owned or controlled by Scientology. And the number is expected to grow."
  • _blank
    St. Petersburg Times, July 12, 1998
    "Robert S. Minton says he would like to buy the building at 640 Court St., and turn it into a headquarters for an anti-cult organization. He also says he would name it after Lisa McPherson, the 36-year-old Scientologist whose unexplained death in 1995 is still being investigated by local and state officials."
  • Scientologists unveil Clearwater complex plans
    St. Petersburg Times, May 7, 1998
    "Scientology officials say the expansion will lead to a dramatic increase in the number of parishioners who travel to Clearwater, which has been the 'spiritual mecca' for the controversial church since 1975."
  • The Curse of the Gray Moss Inn
    Kady O'Malley, alt.religion.scientology, June 21, 1998
    "The Flag construction planning team may well want to reconsider the ambitious Super Power Building project if real estate superstition is to be given any credence. The property in question, located just across the street from the Fort Harrison, has a less than -- shall we say, ethical -- history."
  • Businessman says he will purchase the Gray Moss Inn
    St. Petersburg Times, Aug. 8, 1987
    "The Gray Moss Inn is across the street from the Fort Harrison Hotel, the headquarters of the Church of Scientology. Scientologists and senior citizens were among the residents evacuated when city inspectors found 138 violations of building and fire codes at the Gray Moss Inn in September 1985."
 Photo by Xenu TV
The construction site of Scientology's new building, which will be the largest structure in Pinellas County.

Scientologists buy Red Cross building

By Thomas C. Tobin
St. Petersburg Times, Dec. 29, 1998

CLEARWATER -- The Church of Scientology has completed the latest in a series of land purchases that will help clear the way for its downtown expansion project.

Property records show that Scientology recently spent $1.1-million to buy the longtime Clearwater offices of the American National Red Cross at 624 Court St.

The purchase brings the church closer to controlling an entire city block along Court Street. The only properties remaining in that block are three small publicly owned parking lots and an alley that runs the length of the block. The city owns the alley and two of the lots. The county owns the third lot, which it uses for employee parking.

City and county officials say the church has approached them about trading land to get the remaining lots. The church wants to develop most of the block into parking spaces for a massive new Scientology building planned on S Fort Harrison Avenue, across from the church's Fort Harrison Hotel.

The block is bounded by Court Street on the south, Franklin Street on the north, Garden Avenue on the west and East Avenue on the east.

With its acquisition of the Red Cross building, Scientology continues a land-buying spate in downtown that includes properties outside the block. Since June 1997, it has made 12 purchases totaling $7.2-million and expanded its Clearwater holdings to more than 30 properties valued at more than $35-million.

The property appraiser's office has said it will not know until later in the expansion project how much of the newly acquired property will be tax-exempt.

Scientology has been paying steep prices for the land, on average about 75 percent higher than the property appraiser's assessment for taxing purposes.

The Red Cross building was no exception. It sold for 65 percent more than the assessed value. The $1.1-million transaction took place Dec. 1, according to the deed, but it was not recorded with the county until last week.

Scientology recently broke ground for what it says will be a $45-million "Ministerial Training and Pastoral Counseling Center." The six-story building will feature a 150-foot tower topped by a large eight-point Scientology cross.

At 370,000 square feet, the structure will be one of the largest office buildings in Pinellas County. It will contain a glass-enclosed lobby, offices, training rooms for Scientology counselors, who are called "auditors," and private rooms for Scientology's core practice, known as "auditing."

Elevated walkways will join the building to the Fort Harrison Hotel on the west and to a planned 3,500-seat auditorium to the south.

Currently, the church's plans call for two six-story parking garages on the Court Street block. But the purchase of the Red Cross building will give Scientology more room to make the garages lower, church officials said Monday.

The Red Cross has a lease with the church to stay in the building for another year, Scientology spokesman Brian Anderson said.

He said the church plans to apply for permits next month to begin heavy construction. Workers have been clearing the site in recent weeks and testing the ground in preparation for the foundation.

Robert Keller, an assistant city manager in Clearwater, said the church has discussed the possibility of swapping land for the two public lots it needs near the Red Cross building. He said talks would resume next month.

In Clearwater, Fla., Grudges Against Scientology Are Slow to Die

By Douglas Frantz
New York Times, Dec. 1, 1997

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In 1975, L. Ron Hubbard, the flamboyant founder of the Church of Scientology, was intent on finding a home base for his religion, which had come under criticism in several countries. The result was Operation Goldmine.

Late that year, a dummy corporation paid $2.3 million in cash to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic building that was the symbolic heart of downtown Clearwater. The buyer was identified as the United Churches of Florida, an unknown organization.

A reporter for The St. Petersburg Times discovered that the true owner was Scientology and the disclosure started a battle that echoes today in the suspicion surrounding the death of Lisa McPherson while she stayed at the Fort Harrison.

It turned out that Scientology had come to Clearwater with a written plan to take control of the city. Government and community organizations were infiltrated by Scientology members. Plans were undertaken to discredit and silence critics. A fake hit-and-run accident was staged in 1976 to try to ruin the political career of the mayor, Gabriel Cazares. A Scientologist infiltrated the local newspaper and reported on the paper's plans to her handlers.

The full scope of Scientology's deceit in Clearwater was not revealed until the late 1970s, when records seized in an FBI raid on church offices in Los Angeles were released by a federal judge.

In 1982, the City Commission held four days of televised hearings on Scientology's tactics in Clearwater and then passed an ordinance imposing stiff record-keeping and disclosure requirements on charitable and religious groups.

Scientology sued the city, and in 1993 a federal appeals court overturned the ordinance as unconstitutional. The city had passed the measure, the court said, with "an underlying objective to employ the tax laws to discriminate against Scientology, a purpose that is patently offensive to the First Amendment."

In recent years, Scientology has tried to be seen as a good citizen in this city of 100,000. The church is most visible downtown, where it has spruced up its buildings. Its security patrols have been credited by some with helping to deter street crime. Plans are under way to build a 26-story training center across from the Fort Harrison Hotel.

The church has also sponsored political forums for local candidates, and one of its members serves on the Downtown Development Board, an elected body that oversees attempts to revitalize the business center.

Yet some officials still see Scientology through the dark lens of its past deeds. Many candidates refuse to attend the church's political forums and some business people blame the church for downtown's sluggish economy.

Others argue for more pragmatism, contending that accepting the Scientologists is the only way to revive downtown.

"They are not going to go away," said Elise K. Winters, a lawyer and former chairwoman of the Downtown Development Board. "You can either treat them like a boogeyman and give downtown to them or you can treat them like any other property owner. You've got to decide if you want downtown to succeed or you want to nurse old grudges."

MORE NEWS ARTICLES
  • Magic moment for bluff may be here
    St. Petersburg Times, Dec. 5, 1999
    "Still, some residents don't view Scientology as an asset, but rather as a reason to stay away from downtown. 'Clearwater city officials, go out and ask your constituents why they don't go downtown and don't want to go downtown,' one resident, Harold McGee, wrote recently to the Times. 'The answer from most will invariably be: "Because of the Scientologists." ' "
  • Harbor condominiums to rise in spring
    St. Petersburg Times, Nov. 27, 1999
    "Prices for units in the Osceola Bay Club will start in the high $200,000s or low $300,000s, said developers Jerry Ellenburg and Richard Trela... The land is just north of the Sandcastle, a resort-style retreat offering upper-level counseling for the Church of Scientology. Several houses on the property will be torn down to make way for the condominiums."
  • Developer plans condos along harbor
    St. Petersburg Times, Oct 16, 1999
    "The land is less than a block north of the Church of Scientology's Sandcastle retreat. Jerry Ellenburg, who said he was working on the project with fellow Clearwater resident Richard Trela, said a couple of local investors and a couple of non-local investors are working on the project."
  • New school to use ideas of Scientology founder
    St. Petersburg Times, Sep. 9, 1998
    "The school is licensed by Applied Scholastics, which the Church of Scientology lists as one of its 'social betterment' programs. Another local school using Hubbard's educational ideas is Delphi Academy of Florida at 1831 Drew St. That school has about 200 students, ages 2 to 14. In addition, the Church of Scientology has a school for the children of staff members. It is known as the Cadet School at the church's staff residence at 16432 U.S. 19."
  • Town house plans in works
    St. Petersburg Times, Sep. 2, 1998
    "The Church of Scientology's international spiritual headquarters in Clearwater attracts a number of foreign visitors year-round. The church has said it needs more accommodations for visiting Scientologists, particularly because it is planning a 300,000-square-foot counseling and office building downtown."
  • Suit may hinder Scientology plans
    St. Petersburg Times, July 12, 1998
    "Robert S. Minton says he would like to buy the building at 640 Court St., and turn it into a headquarters for an anti-cult organization. He also says he would name it after Lisa McPherson, the 36-year-old Scientologist whose unexplained death in 1995 is still being investigated by local and state officials."
  • In Clearwater, Fla., grudges against Scientology are slow to die
    New York Times, Dec. 29, 1997
    "In 1975, L. Ron Hubbard, the flamboyant founder of the Church of Scientology, was intent on finding a home base for his religion, which had come under criticism in several countries. The result was Operation Goldmine. Late that year, a dummy corporation paid $2.3 million in cash to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic building that was the symbolic heart of downtown Clearwater. The buyer was identified as the United Churches of Florida, an unknown organization. A reporter for The St. Petersburg Times discovered that the true owner was Scientology and the disclosure started a battle that echoes today in the suspicion surrounding the death of Lisa McPherson while she stayed at the Fort Harrison."

The Elks Club Controversy
(Once upon a time, Scientology property acquisitions actually stirred up the populace.)

  • Scientology faces rival for Elks Club
    Clearwater Sun, Jan. 18, 1983
    "A private developer wants to buy the downtown Clearwater Elks Club, if the city of Clearwater will issue $600,000 in industrial revenue development bonds, his attorney told city commissioners Monday. The Church of Scientology offered the Elks $240,000 for the building in December."
  • Elks decide to sell property to Scientology
    Clearwater Sun, Jan. 26, 1983
    "Clearwater City Commissioner Paul Hatchett seemed shocked by news of the decision. 'What?' he yelled, when called by a Clearwater Sun reporter after the Elks meeting. 'I can't believe what you're telling me! You've just completely floored me. I've got to get myself together. You mean to tell me they went for $240,000? I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight.' "
  • Sale prompted by fear, Elks say
    Clearwater Sun, Jan. 27, 1983
    "Fear of legal reprisal by the Church of Scientology prompted the Clearwater Elks Club to sell its downtown lodge to the controversial sect, three ranking club members said Wednesday."
  • A black day for the Elks
    Clearwater Sun, Jan. 27, 1983
    "The club acted irresponsibly and selfishly. Its members should be ashamed. Sale of the lodge building to the Scientologists will strengthen the sect's hold on Clearwater and place a significant piece of the city's tax base in limbo."
  • Lodge offer stands, developer tells Elks
    Clearwater Sun, Jan. 28, 1983
    "Despite a vote by Clearwater Elks to sell their downtown lodge to the Church of Scientology, an attorney for local developer Charles Rutenberg said Thrusday a counter-offer to buy the building still stands."
  • Angry residents' calls jam Elks switchboard
    Clearwater Sun, Jan. 28, 1983
    "The switchboard at the Elks national headquarters in Chicago Thursday lit up like a Christmas tree - two hours before the office opened for business. Residents of Metropolitan Clearwater, voicing strong opposition to the pending sale of the local Elks lodge to the Church of Scientology, took it upon themselves to let their feelings be known."
  • Elks 'irreparably damaged' by press
    Clearwater Sun, Jan. 29, 1983
    "Elks members voted Tuesday night to sell their downtown club, at 516 Franklin St., to the sect for $240,000. Pride said the repercussions from the decision are like 'a bad dream.' "
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