Clearwater Council to Vote on Scientology Street Acquisition for $50 Million Complex
Clearwater City Council is set to vote next month on the Church of Scientology's proposal to acquire two streets and an alleyway for a $50 million entertainment complex. Despite a council member's request for a delay due to a scheduling…
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, August 21, 2026 —
Clearwater City Council is scheduled to vote on September 17th regarding a proposal from the Church of Scientology to acquire two city streets and an alleyway. The church intends to develop the acquired property into a $50 million entertainment complex.
The decision to proceed with the vote next month follows a request from a council member to delay the proceedings due to a scheduling conflict. However, the council ultimately decided to move forward with the September 17th date.
To accommodate the vote and ensure all council members could participate, along with public comment, a previously scheduled work session was cancelled. This adjustment was made to facilitate a full discussion of the Scientology proposal.
The council member who requested the delay has expressed criticism regarding the council’s decision. The concern reportedly centers on the perceived inconsistency in how requests for delays or rescheduling are handled for different matters before the council.
The proposed acquisition and development represent a significant investment in the city, with the Church of Scientology’s project valued at $50 million. The specifics of the entertainment complex have not been detailed in the provided summary.
The upcoming vote will determine the city’s stance on relinquishing control of the specified public thoroughfares for private development. The outcome is anticipated to be a key topic for public discussion and council deliberation.
Story summarized from the original created by By Colbi Edmonds, Times staff on www.tampabay.com, see more information here.
