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NewsFOX 13 Tampa BaySeptember 15, 2026Hillsborough County

Church of Scientology’s $200M overhaul reshaping downtown Clearwater

Photo: FOX 13 Tampa Bay

A $200 million private redevelopment project led by the Cleveland Street Alliance is renovating historic buildings along Cleveland Street in downtown Clearwater. The project includes completed and upcoming businesses such as Nubo Café and Bakery, a new restaurant in the Telephone Building, and Streetlight Taco in the Peoples Bank Building. City leaders are facing a critical vote on Thursday to decide whether to vacate two streets and an alley to accommodate a proposed $50 million entertainment center.

Downtown DevelopmentReal EstateHistoric PreservationLocal Business
Read the full story at FOX 13 Tampa Bay

Why It Matters

Downtown Clearwater businesses, residents, and visitors are affected by ongoing construction, historic building renovations, and potential street closures that could bring a new movie theater, arcade, and bowling alley to the area.

Key Facts

  • The Cleveland Street Alliance is leading a $200 million private investment project to redevelop downtown Clearwater.
  • The project involves no tax money or grants, focusing instead on renovating historic buildings built more than 100 years ago.
  • Nubo Café and Bakery is currently the only business that has opened as part of the redevelopment.
  • Restaurateur Nick Reader is opening a new restaurant in the restored Telephone Building.
  • Chef Michael Brannock is launching Streetlight Taco inside the revamped Peoples Bank Building.
  • Plans include a $50 million movie theater, arcade, and bowling alley featuring seven screens, though that portion currently only exists on paper.
  • Clearwater City Hall is scheduled to hold a vote on Thursday to decide whether to vacate two streets and an alley for the entertainment center development.
  • The area has sat quiet for decades following property purchases by the Church of Scientology.

Who's Mentioned

locationCleveland Street“Location of the $200 million private redevelopment project in downtown Clearwate”OrganizationClearwater City Hall“Holding a critical vote on Thursday regarding street and alley vacations”locationPeoples Bank Building“Revamped historic building housing Streetlight Taco”locationTelephone Building“Restored historic building housing a new restaurant”OrganizationChurch of Scientology“Part of the Cleveland Street Alliance and previous property purchaser in downtow”PersonMichael Brannock“Chef launching Streetlight Taco inside the revamped Peoples Bank Building”OrganizationNubo Café and Bakery“The only business that has opened so far in the redevelopment area”PersonNick Reader“Restaurateur opening a new restaurant in the restored Telephone Building”PersonMichael Halflants“Architectural design principal speaking on the renovation projects”OrganizationCleveland Street Alliance“Leading the $200 million private investment project in downtown Clearwater”