They were one of the last major property owners in downtown Clearwater that didn’t have ties to the Church of Scientology, but last month they sold more than $58 million in real estate to a developer with ties to the church.

They were one of the last major property owners in downtown Clearwater that didn’t have ties to the Church of Scientology, but last month they sold more than $58 million in real estate to a developer with ties to the church.

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Some residents worry people with ties to the church are simply buying property with no immediate plans to bring in business simply so no one else can buy it – effectively controlling what comes into downtown Clearwater.

“We need to work on our relationship with Scientology for sure and find solutions to getting those vacant buildings activated,” Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector told FOX 13 in early April.