Clearwater leaders delay vote on selling street to Church of Scientology
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CLEARWATER, Fla. – After hours of heated debate and discussion, Clearwater City Council voted Thursday to postpone voting on the sale of a public street to the Church of Scientology for another month.
The city held a public hearing on selling South Garden Avenue between Court Street and Franklin Street to the Church of Scientology for $1.375 million. The church expressed to the city that it wants to close that street and build an auditorium there. But dozens of residents packed the council chambers arguing against the sale.
Residents at the meeting voiced concerns about the church owning more property potentially contributing to the dwindling businesses downtown and vacant storefronts. Others brought up concerns of impacts to drivers and not having enough time for public feedback. The request for proposals for vacating and selling the street was open for 30 days.
“Our concerns are that the due diligence hasn’t been done we feel in giving other citizens and companies opportunities to bid on this piece of property,” said Kelly Meyer, a Clearwater resident. “I think it was a shock that it was even something that would be available. It is a city street and it’s our public property that has parking spaces that generate income for the city.”
Content retrieved from: https://www.fox13news.com/news/clearwater-leaders-delay-vote-selling-street-church-scientology.
