CommunicatorIC
@IndieScieNews on Twitter
Scientology Center Planned for Downtown Detroit.
HT - WWP: https://whyweprotest.net/threads/de...order-of-the-people.89344/page-2#post-2534520
and following posts.
Confirmed: Flashy Scientology Center Planned Downtown - Scientology Signage | Curbed Detroit
http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2015/05/confirmed-flashy-scientology-center-planned-downtown.php
* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *
By Paul Beshouri, May 14, 2015
It's true: The Church of Scientology is working to transform the Standard Savings Building — a neoclassical nugget overlooking Hart Plaza — into the organization's first location in downtown Detroit.
At Wednesday's Historic District Commission (HDC) hearing, a representative from Gensler Architects (they handle Scientology remods nationwide, apparently) revealed grand plans to rehab the vacant building, which — from the outside, at least — represents more of a Scientology-themed bedazzling.
The proposed changes:
1. Swap the rooftop Raymond James sign/stock ticker for a giant SCIENTOLOGY sign
2. Install a vertical SCIENTOLOGY sign above the exterior clock
3. Slap a large, vertical cross above the front door
4. Stack a bunch HVAC equipment on the roof
5. Roof deck! And a railing, of course
The commission was not happy with the plan for several reasons, mostly rooftop stuff. Between the signage, the tall stack of air conditioners roof deck railing, the design could end up looking (at least from some angles) like an ugly new haircut. For a limestone building sculpted by Detroit's Corrado Parducci in 1930, that's not gonna fly. The plan was tabled until a meeting later this month. Interior plans were also mentioned, including the restoration of floors 1 and 2 to their original appearance. That included restoring a "grand staircase" and a long-lost mezzanine.
* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
CBS Detroit: Report: Scientology Is Creating A Headquarters In Downtown Detroit
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/05...-creating-a-headquarters-in-downtown-detroit/
* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *
By Christy Strawser
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) Detroiters have a reputation for a salt of the earth attitude and working class sensibilities, so where does Scientology, a religion founded by a science fiction author, fit into that?
It’s unclear. But curbed Detroit is reporting the Church of Scientology is working to transform the Standard Savings Building, which overlooks Hart Plaza, into its first location in downtown Detroit.
The location is interesting because Standard Savings sits on the location of the first church in Detroit, which was founded in July, 1701. The Standard Savings building there now at Griswold and West Jefferson was constructed in 1930. The bank moved to Troy in the 1973, and Raymond James later took over offices inside.
The Church of Scientology quietly bought it in 2007, leaving it vacant and remaining silent on any plans for its future.
But this week a plan to replace the Raymond James sign with one for Scientology and make various other changes, including the addition of a roof deck, was presented to the Detroit Historic Commission. It was tabled until a later date.
Why would Scientology want to move into Detroit? The church has locations in 25 states, including two sites already in Michigan. The church is in a new era of worldwide expansion, per its website.
“New Ideal Organizations now regularly open their doors, with many others … on the horizon, as Scientologists rally in support of a global Ideal Churches movement to serve their communities long into the future,” the site says.
Scientology is in the spotlight after HBO’s “Going Clear” became one of its most-watched documentaries of the last decade.
Scientology is strange, viewers discovered, with proponents believing invisible aliens cling to the skin of people holding in negative emotions, and that electromagnetic “audits” can clear past memories of pain.
It’s embraced by some heavyweights, especially in Los Angeles where its tenets are held close by celebrities Kirstie Alley, Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
That’s apparently how it can afford a real estate empire worth an estimated $400 million in Los Angeles alone, per the Hollywood Reporter.
* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
Detroit Free Press: Scientology sign proposed atop downtown building
http://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...015/05/14/scientology-sign-downtown/27322693/
* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *
The Church of Scientology is ready to show a much more visible presence in downtown Detroit.
The church wants to install a giant "Scientology" sign atop the historic Standard Savings Building at the corner of Griswold Street and West Jefferson Avenue, across the street from Hart Plaza.
Plans for the sign and other changes the church wants to make to the eight-and-a-half story neoclassical office building were proposed on Wednesday to the Detroit Historic District Commission, which oversees changes to the city's historic buildings.
The plans, first reported by Curbed Detroit, were not approved at Wednesday's meeting.
"The application was tabled to give the applicant more time to refine their proposal, especially in regards to the rooftop elements," commission chairman Devan Anderson wrote in an e-mail.
A "Raymond James" sign is now on top of the building, an indication of the building's previous owner, Raymond James Financial. The Church of Scientology of Michigan bought the building in 2007 for $3.5 million, according to city of Detroit property assessment records.
Scientology is a religion founded by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, and its adherents include actors Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley. The organization has been the subject of critical news reporting and an HBO documentary, "Going Clear," that featured interviews with former Scientology insiders who allege abuse and betrayal by church leaders.
Representatives of the church didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment this afternoon.
The building, built in 1930, is part of the Historic Detroit Financial District.
"Originally built for the Standard Savings Bank, this building stands on a historic site documented by a historical marker as the site of Detroit's founding and the location of the first Ste. Anne's Church in 1701 — the city and Detroit's oldest church both founded by French explorer Antoine Cadillac," according to a Historic District Commission staff report.
Rooftop signs are uncommon in the financial district, the report reads, but a precedent has been set with the existing "Raymond James" sign.
In addition to the new rooftop sign, the church wants to build a vertical sign that also reads "Scientology" above an existing clock on the building's southeast corner.
Gensler, an international design firm, presented the church's plans to the Historic District Commission. Gensler spokeswoman Julie Obiala said she was not permitted to talk about the project and referred questions to the church.
The church's website lists Detroit as one of more than 30 cities internationally where it plans to build or renovate new church facilities. The site doesn't specify the exact location in Detroit.
Contact Joe Guillen: 313-222-6678 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @joeguillen.
* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
HT - WWP: https://whyweprotest.net/threads/de...order-of-the-people.89344/page-2#post-2534520
and following posts.
Confirmed: Flashy Scientology Center Planned Downtown - Scientology Signage | Curbed Detroit
http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2015/05/confirmed-flashy-scientology-center-planned-downtown.php
* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *
By Paul Beshouri, May 14, 2015
It's true: The Church of Scientology is working to transform the Standard Savings Building — a neoclassical nugget overlooking Hart Plaza — into the organization's first location in downtown Detroit.
At Wednesday's Historic District Commission (HDC) hearing, a representative from Gensler Architects (they handle Scientology remods nationwide, apparently) revealed grand plans to rehab the vacant building, which — from the outside, at least — represents more of a Scientology-themed bedazzling.
The proposed changes:
1. Swap the rooftop Raymond James sign/stock ticker for a giant SCIENTOLOGY sign
2. Install a vertical SCIENTOLOGY sign above the exterior clock
3. Slap a large, vertical cross above the front door
4. Stack a bunch HVAC equipment on the roof
5. Roof deck! And a railing, of course
The commission was not happy with the plan for several reasons, mostly rooftop stuff. Between the signage, the tall stack of air conditioners roof deck railing, the design could end up looking (at least from some angles) like an ugly new haircut. For a limestone building sculpted by Detroit's Corrado Parducci in 1930, that's not gonna fly. The plan was tabled until a meeting later this month. Interior plans were also mentioned, including the restoration of floors 1 and 2 to their original appearance. That included restoring a "grand staircase" and a long-lost mezzanine.
* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
CBS Detroit: Report: Scientology Is Creating A Headquarters In Downtown Detroit
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/05...-creating-a-headquarters-in-downtown-detroit/
* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *
By Christy Strawser
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) Detroiters have a reputation for a salt of the earth attitude and working class sensibilities, so where does Scientology, a religion founded by a science fiction author, fit into that?
It’s unclear. But curbed Detroit is reporting the Church of Scientology is working to transform the Standard Savings Building, which overlooks Hart Plaza, into its first location in downtown Detroit.
The location is interesting because Standard Savings sits on the location of the first church in Detroit, which was founded in July, 1701. The Standard Savings building there now at Griswold and West Jefferson was constructed in 1930. The bank moved to Troy in the 1973, and Raymond James later took over offices inside.
The Church of Scientology quietly bought it in 2007, leaving it vacant and remaining silent on any plans for its future.
But this week a plan to replace the Raymond James sign with one for Scientology and make various other changes, including the addition of a roof deck, was presented to the Detroit Historic Commission. It was tabled until a later date.
Why would Scientology want to move into Detroit? The church has locations in 25 states, including two sites already in Michigan. The church is in a new era of worldwide expansion, per its website.
“New Ideal Organizations now regularly open their doors, with many others … on the horizon, as Scientologists rally in support of a global Ideal Churches movement to serve their communities long into the future,” the site says.
Scientology is in the spotlight after HBO’s “Going Clear” became one of its most-watched documentaries of the last decade.
Scientology is strange, viewers discovered, with proponents believing invisible aliens cling to the skin of people holding in negative emotions, and that electromagnetic “audits” can clear past memories of pain.
It’s embraced by some heavyweights, especially in Los Angeles where its tenets are held close by celebrities Kirstie Alley, Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
That’s apparently how it can afford a real estate empire worth an estimated $400 million in Los Angeles alone, per the Hollywood Reporter.
* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
Detroit Free Press: Scientology sign proposed atop downtown building
http://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...015/05/14/scientology-sign-downtown/27322693/
* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *
The Church of Scientology is ready to show a much more visible presence in downtown Detroit.
The church wants to install a giant "Scientology" sign atop the historic Standard Savings Building at the corner of Griswold Street and West Jefferson Avenue, across the street from Hart Plaza.
Plans for the sign and other changes the church wants to make to the eight-and-a-half story neoclassical office building were proposed on Wednesday to the Detroit Historic District Commission, which oversees changes to the city's historic buildings.
The plans, first reported by Curbed Detroit, were not approved at Wednesday's meeting.
"The application was tabled to give the applicant more time to refine their proposal, especially in regards to the rooftop elements," commission chairman Devan Anderson wrote in an e-mail.
A "Raymond James" sign is now on top of the building, an indication of the building's previous owner, Raymond James Financial. The Church of Scientology of Michigan bought the building in 2007 for $3.5 million, according to city of Detroit property assessment records.
Scientology is a religion founded by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, and its adherents include actors Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley. The organization has been the subject of critical news reporting and an HBO documentary, "Going Clear," that featured interviews with former Scientology insiders who allege abuse and betrayal by church leaders.
Representatives of the church didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment this afternoon.
The building, built in 1930, is part of the Historic Detroit Financial District.
"Originally built for the Standard Savings Bank, this building stands on a historic site documented by a historical marker as the site of Detroit's founding and the location of the first Ste. Anne's Church in 1701 — the city and Detroit's oldest church both founded by French explorer Antoine Cadillac," according to a Historic District Commission staff report.
Rooftop signs are uncommon in the financial district, the report reads, but a precedent has been set with the existing "Raymond James" sign.
In addition to the new rooftop sign, the church wants to build a vertical sign that also reads "Scientology" above an existing clock on the building's southeast corner.
Gensler, an international design firm, presented the church's plans to the Historic District Commission. Gensler spokeswoman Julie Obiala said she was not permitted to talk about the project and referred questions to the church.
The church's website lists Detroit as one of more than 30 cities internationally where it plans to build or renovate new church facilities. The site doesn't specify the exact location in Detroit.
Contact Joe Guillen: 313-222-6678 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @joeguillen.
* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *