Clearwater, Florida -- The Church of Scientology has pulled its application to buy a street in downtown Clearwater, Mayor Bruce Rector confirmed to FOX 13 hours ahead of a planned vote on Thursday.
The church's controversial proposal involved purchasing a stretch of South Garden Avenue between Court and Franklin Streets, closing it to the public, and building an auditorium and a park.
Critics of the plan included the grassroots group Reconnect Clearwater, which submitted a counter-proposal called "Save the Garden." The organization proposed honoring African American history in the city, along with everyone who helped build Clearwater.
In a letter to the city on Wednesday, the church’s attorney signaled the bid for the street may not be over just yet, writing in part:
"Based upon the discussions to date surrounding the application, the Church has determined to supplement its application with additional information addressing its need for the Garden Avenue property, including life safety concerns. The Church has also determined that issues surrounding title to the property should be reviewed in depth."
Both proposals faced scrutiny at a meeting on Monday in which the Church of Scientology made a rare appearance at Clearwater City Hall.
The church, which owns about 200 properties downtown, told council members that almost 10 of the church’s buildings at least have permits for work to be done, and featured them in a video.
That video didn't talk about South Garden Avenue, though, and city leaders pointed that out – saying they've had more than enough time to redevelop, but several storefronts still sit vacant.
Rector told FOX 13 he thinks the church saw the writing on the wall after Councilmember David Allbritton said Monday he was flipping his vote from a "yes" to a "no" on the sale, meaning it wouldn’t pass.
FOX 13 has reached out to the Church of Scientology for comment on the withdrawal of its application.
City Council’s vote on whether to sell the portion of South Garden Avenue to the Church of Scientology, and whether to close the street to the public, is no longer on the agenda for Thursday night's meeting.
Mayor Rector also said Reconnect Clearwater didn’t file their own application to purchase the street, so it won’t be on the agenda either.
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