Fence, Permits Point To Progress At Vacant Scientology Building
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A $3.6 million construction project is reportedly underway at the blighted site of a former furniture store – 22 years after the Church of Scientology bought the property and eight months after the city approved the most recent iteration of the church’s renovation plans.
That’s the latest with 949 Whalley Ave., a .67-acre lot that sits across the road from office space rented by Connecticut Scientologists.
A member from the Church of Scientology’s Media Relations Team confirmed via email that “exploratory demolition” has commenced.
“We are currently carrying out exploratory demolition to identify every aspect of the building that needs to be repaired, reinforced, and restored,” said the statement. “Once this phase is completed, we intend to move forward with the complete renovation and restoration of the property.”
Scientology is a modern belief system founded by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard and popularized by Hollywood celebrities like Tom Cruise and John Travolta. The church has drawn sharp criticism in investigative reporting, including a widely cited piece by by Lawrence Wright, and is often described as aggressive and litigious for its response to such scrutiny.
Content retrieved from: https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/construction_at_dilapidated_scientology_site.
