The Fort Harrison Hotel, Where Scientologists Check In... But Minds and Wallets Check Out - Page 2
Members of the general public can walk into the lobby for a look, but ultimately this hotel is for Scientologists only.
"This is a religious retreat," Davis said. "That isn't to say that people can't come in and look at the beautiful building. It's open to the community, but it's not open for business."
Did you get that? So the "church" got a go ahead to proceed with these extensive renovations on this hotel, which is central to the Clearwater downtown area, but they didn't hire any outside contractors and have no plans to hire anyone outside to work at the hotel AND the hotel is not open for use by the community. BUT, the public IS welcome to come in and look around. I'll bet they leave with a lovely parting gift: Scientology pamphlets and a coupon for a free "personality test."
Unbelievable. Audacious. Outrageous.
This hotel is for Scientologists only, a group which has taken over this town like some kind of creepy, free-will sucking zombies. As we mentioned earlier in the article, the town of Clearwater was initially skeptical about the new arrivals when they bought the hotel under false pretenses back in the 70's. A little research on Clearwater and Scientology will yield a slowly turning tide of acceptance towards these strange outsiders, which may have more to do with the large influx of Scientologists to the town, than any real understanding of the group's purpose or intentions. More from the SPTimes article:
Built in 1927 as Clearwater's first skyscraper, the hotel was a local focal point for decades. It was vacant by the time Scientology covertly bought it under an assumed name in 1975, sparking years of hostility between the church and the city.The church has gained greater acceptance over the last 15 years or so, to the point where many local bigwigs felt comfortable attending a reception at the hotel Saturday night. But the church's own research a few years ago found that many in the area still don't know much about Scientology and view it as a strange cult.
To renovate the Fort Harrison, the church gutted it, tearing out plumbing, wiring, floors, walls, elevators and unsightly window air-conditioning units.
Now the redesigned lobby opens up to the third floor, where a pedestrian bridge crosses Fort Harrison Avenue to the unfinished Flag Building. A new marble staircase leads up there.
Continued on the next page
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