Florida Record
Clearwater
Critical PriorityZoningopen

Garden Avenue Right-of-Way Vacation

Summary

The City Council approved vacating a portion of South Garden Avenue to accommodate the Church of Scientology's L. Ron Hubbard Hall project. Supporters cited security and pedestrian safety, while opponents argued it reduces downtown connectivity and violates planning principles.

At a glance

Total mentions
5
Last 30 days
2

Last discussed Jun 4, 2026.

Impact analysis

💰Financial impact

The applicant will pay $114,450 for permanent parking meter removal.

✅Who benefits

The Church of Scientology gains property integration and enhanced security buffer space for its assembly hall.

⚠️Who could be affected

Downtown visitors and motorists lose a public roadway connection and 22 municipal parking spaces.

Mentions & discussions (10)

Tampa Bay 28Oct 21, 2026

S. Garden Ave. vacation decision set to head back to Clearwater City Council for discussion

S. Garden Ave. vacation decision set to head back to Clearwater City Council for discussion Tampa Bay 28

Florida PoliticsOct 13, 2026

Sources claim connection between Lina Teixeira and a Garden Avenue lawsuit against the city. She says there's not

Sources claim connection between Lina Teixeira and a Garden Avenue lawsuit against the city. She says there's not Florida Politics

Tampa Bay 28Oct 2, 2026

City council votes 3-2 to vacate more streets in downtown Clearwater

City council votes 3-2 to vacate more streets in downtown Clearwater Tampa Bay 28

Tampa Bay TimesSep 18, 2026

Clearwater seeking AG opinion on resident Garden Avenue petition

Clearwater seeking AG opinion on resident Garden Avenue petition Tampa Bay Times

Florida PoliticsJun 19, 2026

Clearwater City Council finalizes Garden Avenue vacation for Church of Scientology project

Clearwater City Council finalizes Garden Avenue vacation for Church of Scientology project Florida Politics

FOX 13 Tampa BayJun 18, 2026

Final vote for new Scientology street takeover

Final vote for new Scientology street takeover FOX 13 Tampa Bay

wtsp.comJun 5, 2026

Clearwater City Council approves giving street to Church of Scientology to build L. Ron Hubbard Hall

Clearwater City Council approves giving street to Church of Scientology to build L. Ron Hubbard Hall wtsp.com

Florida PoliticsJun 5, 2026

Clearwater City Council again approves Scientology request for Garden Avenue, but it’s not quite final

Clearwater City Council again approves Scientology request for Garden Avenue, but it’s not quite final Florida Politics

MeetingJun 4, 2026

City Council — June 4, 2026

The City Council approved vacating a portion of South Garden Avenue to accommodate the Church of Scientology's L. Ron Hubbard Hall project. Supporters cited security and pedestrian safety, while opponents argued it reduces downtown connectivity and violates planning principles.

Tampa Bay TimesMay 22, 2026

ACLU sues Clearwater over Garden Avenue petition

ACLU sues Clearwater over Garden Avenue petition Tampa Bay Times

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