Super Power Building
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The Super Power Building or Flag Building is an edifice in Clearwater, Florida that will be the Church of Scientology's largest property in the city when completed. The huge high-rise complex, which occupies an entire block at 215 S Fort Harrison Ave, will be topped by a large Scientology cross that will tower over Clearwater. It has been under construction since 1998 but has yet to be finished, apparently due to financial difficulties.
At 170,000 square feet (16,000 m²), the building will be the largest commercial edifice in Clearwater and was budgeted to cost $24 million.[1] It will reportedly have 889 rooms, 447 windows, 42 bathrooms and a 1,140-seat dining room. [2]
The Super Power building project officially began in November 1998, and was slated for completion by 2003. However, work was reported to have stopped in 2003 and the cost was reported to have more than doubled due to rises in the price of steel and labor, [3] with the Church repeatedly issuing fundraising requests to its members.
As of mid-2006, the construction is still unfinished. A Church spokesman announced in April 2006 that the building would be completed by the end of 2007 [4] but this date has slipped again; the Church was reported to have said in August 2006 that it was aiming to complete the building by March 2008. The prolonged delay has adversely impacted other proposed developments that intended to capitalize on the promised increased economic activity from Scientologists visiting Clearwater.[5]
The purpose of the edifice will be specifically for administering the Super Power Rundown, a high-level Scientology training course. The Dianetics and Scientology Technical Dictionary defines "Super Power" as:
"A super fantastic, but confidential series of rundowns that can be done on anybody whether Dn [Dianetics] Clear or not that puts the person into fantastic shape unleashing Super Power of a thetan. This means that puts Scientologists into a new realm of ability enabling them to create a new world. It puts world Clearing within reach of the future. This is a parallel rundown to Power in Saint Hills which is taken by the Dn Clear. It consists of 12 separate high power rundowns which are brand new and enter realms of the tech never before approached. Power is still very much in use on the Grade Chart but is for those who didn't go Clear on Dn." [6]
[edit] References
- ^ Wallsten, Peter. "Scientologists call for builders", St. Petersburg Times, 1995-12-23.
- ^ O'Neill, Deborah. "Unmistakable presence", St. Petersburg Times, 2002-07-28.
- ^ Farley, Robert. "Clearwater edifice sits empty, but why?", St. Petersburg Times, 2004-12-20.
- ^ Farley, Robert. "Plans for expansion", St. Petersburg Times, 2006-08-07.
- ^ Meinhardt, Jane. "Unmistakable presence", Tampa Bay Business Journal, 2006-08-04.
- ^ Dianetics and Scientology Technical Dictionary, p. 413. Bridge Publications, 1989
[edit] External links
- David Miscavige - Groundbreaking Ceremony Clearwater Florida
- New Church of Scientology Building in Clearwater, Florida
- Google Maps - satellite image of Super Power Building
- solitarytrees.net, The Super Powers Webpage
- Holysmoke.org: Predictions about the SP Building
- Photo essay depicting the SP Building's delayed construction process
- Read the Super Power Building Rundown
