Residents push ballot initiative to curb Scientology’s downtown expansion

Push for vote if church of scientology buys street

FOX 13?s Jennifer Kveglis shares how residents in Clearwater are pushing to get a referendum on the ballot to keep downtown streets open.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - A grassroots campaign is underway in Clearwater to block future efforts by the Church of Scientology to close public streets downtown.

The "Save The Garden" initiative, led by resident Brooks Gibbs, launched a petition for a proposed referendum that would require voter approval for any "vacation of public right-of-way" in the city’s downtown core.

Earlier this year, the Church applied to purchase and close off a portion of South Garden Avenue as part of plans for an auditorium and park. The Church said the move was for safety reasons but withdrew its application in May to review the proposal.

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Despite that withdrawal, organizers worry similar plans could return in the future. "They already own 75% of the properties," Gibbs said. "They can build whatever they want on their properties, but now they're looking to buy our streets."

Organizers have collected about 4,500 signatures so far — they need 7,100 valid signatures by October 14 to submit the petition to the City Clerk.

What you can do:

Petition signatures can only be done in person at the East Community Library in Clearwater.

Volunteers are staged outside every day, excluding Sundays. For more information, click here.

If successful, the measure will appear on the March 2026 municipal ballot, giving voters the final say on whether future downtown street closures should be approved.

FOX 13 reached out to the Church of Scientology for comment on the petition but has not heard back.