Clearwater officially gives downtown street to Scientology
Published By admin
After Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector hit the gavel to end a City Council meeting Thursday evening, the audience in the Clearwater Main Library erupted in applause and cheers.
Scientology members had lined up outside the library several hours before the meeting started and packed the council chambers. They came in anticipation of the council’s vote on a request from the church that the city vacate a portion of South Garden Avenue downtown.
The council two weeks ago gave initial approval. Thursday’s 3-2 vote in favor of the request closed out deliberations that have been ongoing for more than a year.
Looming over the decision was the Florida attorney general, who last year warned the mayor against making discriminatory comments on the dais and said the church most likely owns the road — and could ask for it without paying.
“You will not hear one of us say that this vote that we place tonight has anything to do for or against the Church of Scientology,” council member Mike Mannino said. “This vote is simply on the merits of vacating a right of way.”
Council members David Allbritton, Ryan Cotton and Mannino voted in support. Mayor Bruce Rector and council member Lina Teixeira voted in opposition.
While the city has officially decided to give the street to Scientology so the church can close it off for a long-planned event hall, a group of local residents remains concerned with the church’s ownership of downtown real estate. The city’s deliberations over South Garden Avenue sparked an attempted ballot initiative and a lawsuit.
Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy said an estimated 2,000 people attended the meeting Thursday. The council had to discuss how to adjust access to the building, because after it reached capacity, people looking to speak on the issue were unable to get inside.
Read full article at link below.
Content retrieved from: https://www.tampabaybeacons.com/2026/06/25/clearwater-officially-gives-downtown-street-to-scientology/.
