CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Church of Scientology is attempting to purchase a portion of a street in downtown Clearwater from the city.

What You Need To Know

  • Clearwater City Council voted previously 3-2 to sell a portion of South Garden Avenue to the Church of Scientology

  • In response, a group of Clearwater residents, Reconnect Clearwater, have come together and submitted their own proposal to try to purchase the street

  • A second vote is still needed by city council, and both groups will present their plans to city council members on Monday

In response, a group of Clearwater residents, Reconnect Clearwater, have come together and submitted their own proposal to try to purchase South Garden Avenue instead.

"It's within our rights as citizens to offer a proposal that competes with the church of Scientology," Brooks Gibbs, founder of Reconnect Clearwater, said. 

Clearwater's City Council has already voted once in favor of selling a portion of South Garden Avenue to the church. 

That vote was 3-2. However, that was only the first vote.

Before a planned second vote on Thursday, both the Church of Scientology and Reconnect Clearwater will present their plans to city council members on Monday. 

Gibbs said that after getting together with the Clearwater African-American Foundation, they formed a vision for the land. 

He said they want to build a memorial park dedicated to both the African-American and white business owners who came together to build downtown Clearwater. 

In their plans, one lane of the street would remain open for traffic.

"So many people have a great vision for new downtown, but we need to bring some healing before we move forward," Gibbs said.  

However, this idea is not supported by everyone.

Clearwater Councilman David Allbritton is one of three council members who voted in favor of selling the street to the Church of Scientology.

"I've lived here all my life and I'm not an advocate for the Church of Scientology," Allbritton said. "What I'm an advocate for is getting the downtown vibrant again." 

Allbritton said the church wants to build a park up to the front of their building that includes a plaza. 

He added that he sees the work they're putting into developing other parts of downtown to make the city more lively and believes they want to make the city better for all residents. 

"It's for everybody," he said. "It's not just for the church. It's hard to explain that to our community because it's been a long time since anything has happened down here." 

Gibbs and many others in the community are not confident in the church's vision. 

They're hopeful that once council members hear their full proposal Monday, it'll change at least one of their minds.

"If the city decides to not sell the street at all, we would still accomplish our vision of preventing Scientology from advancing one more square inch," Gibbs said. 

Gibbs said they're attempting to purchase the street for $1.5 million. That's more than the church's submission of $1.375 million. 

However, Reconnect Clearwater's money is in the form of pledges. 

Gibbs said they can't ethically raise money for a property that they have not yet gotten permission to purchase.