Clearwater residents say they want ‘less of Scientology’ amid proposal to sell public street
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CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — Dozens of people in Clearwater are fighting a plan to give more land to the Church of Scientology. The church wants to build a theater and ask the city to sell a public street for its parking valet.
“How in the (expletive) can any of you think if you vote for Scientology purchase, thinking that you are representing the will of the people of Clearwater? You’re crazy,” said one resident.
It was a heated town hall Tuesday night to hear public input on the proposal. Councilmember Ryan Cotton explained his understanding of what the Church of Scientology wants to do to Garden Avenue.
“Scientology has proposed the building of a theater, similar to Ruth Eckard Hall, in that they are asking for the vacation of the street for safety and security for valet drive and park that will extend west towards Fort Harrison,” Cotton said.
Residents described a rough history with the church, claiming they own lots of property in a downtown even city leaders said is dead.
“We would like to see less of Scientology, not more,” said one citizen.
“The privatizing of that road has a very big negative impact on the maneuverability and the accessibility to the very downtown we are revitalizing,” said Vice Mayor Lina Teixeira.
Residents pointed out how the city has approved motions for the development of apartments and other ideas to boost downtown. They argue the area can be developed without Scientology.
There is another proposal to turn a portion of Garden Ave into a walkway and green space that would memorialize the history of African Americans in the community. The organization Save the Garden has been working with Barbra Sorey-Love, the president of the Clearwater African American Foundation, who brought the idea to the council in March.
“We are talking about reimagining the Clearwater history,” Sorey-Love said.
Though some argue Scientology’s plan will bring jobs and tourism.
“They attend their events, staying in local hotels on the beach, which is revenue. Everything behind me is emotional and not logic to their critiques,” one supporter of Scientology said.
Cotton said if the council votes in favor to sell the street to the Church of Scientology, they will hold their feet to the fire.
“If this proposal goes through, I do believe that it’s got a large reward if they follow through with their deal,” Cotton said. “Hey, we came to the conclusion this was best for the city and its residents and now we want to see you continue with that path with which you said you were going to do.”
Cotton also said he would be open to finding ways to incorporate Save the Gardens ideas.
“To my knowledge, city staff is working with the local community and the African community to make that happen. When we can find the right place for the right thing, I think we do it. But I listen to that community. You know what I’m saying, not just the outside people that might have this plan,” Cotton said.
Mayor Bruce Rector said Garden Avenue is an important street to keep open for the future success of downtown.
“I don’t think there’s any reason to close the street. That’s my position on it,” Rector said. “We’re trying to develop our downtown and we don’t know how important that street will be 5-10 years from now if we are successful in developing downtown.”
News Channel 8 reached out to the Church of Scientology but did not hear back in time for this story to run.
The council is set to vote on the proposal on May 15.
Content retrieved from: https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/clearwater-residents-say-they-want-less-of-scientology-amid-proposal-to-sell-public-street/.
