John Travolta and Tom Cruise invade the Crossroads

[Czar]

The Church of Scientology has purchased the old KC Star building in the Crossroads.  I hear they will be remodeling and adding one gigantic closet for all of their members.

[moderne]

There  is an armature on the roof for a large sign, once had a City National Bank neon on it . In LA they have large neon signs on the Scientology cult buildings.  Will we have a huge red neon towering over the crossroads? 

[warwickland]

like this?

[ShowMeKC]

Wow, it would have been much better to keep them out and locate more living space, retail or office in that building. Now watch some demonstrations and advertisements, etc... start flying all over Downtown   

[zonk]

i wonder if they will utilize tif or want tax abatement???

[Highlander]

Wow, it would have been much better to keep them out and locate more living space, retail or office in that building. Now watch some demonstrations and advertisements, etc... start flying all over Downtown   

I don't think you have to worry about either.  Actually, they don't sound like such a bad tenant and addition to the area regardless of what one might think of the "religion".  It's really more of a self-help/accountibility philosphy than a religion (although I'm no expert on their beliefs). 

From the article in the star "Scientology churches are actually considered pioneers and leaders in the restoration of vintage properties,” she said. “We know that we can keep the historic beauty of this building and add to the vibrant environment that is being created in the area.”

The church plans to occupy all 65,751 square feet, and about 100 staff members are expected to be located there."

[ComandanteCero]

which building is this?

edit: here's the star article http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/16921716.htm

building image from the article:


I'll be honest... Scientologists are a strange bunch, but judging from their church on the Plaza it looks like they'll be just like any other tenant.  They are a pretty low key group, from what i've seen.  It would have been cool if they had turned this building into a mixed residential/retail project, but 100 employees in the area every day isn't bad either.

[chrizow]

I'll be honest... Scientologists are a strange bunch, but judging from their church on the Plaza it looks like they'll be just like any other tenant.

they have a church on the plaza?  sure you aren't thinking of the Unitarians?

[Tosspot]

they have a church on the plaza?  sure you aren't thinking of the Unitarians?

scientology church is across the street from the unitarians.

[chrizow]

ah, nice.  they are so lowkey i never noticed them.

i like when they take "surveys" near their little storefront at 39th and Main.

[Burton]

scientology church is across the street from the unitarians.

That's the church of christian science. A totally seperate thing from scientology.

[Czar]

This really sounds like a South Park episode.......

[kuwolde]

This really sounds like a South Park episode.......

That's what I was just thinking as well.

 

I wouldn't say that the group is really "normal" by any means.

[ComandanteCero]

That's the church of christian science. A totally seperate thing from scientology.

ah... nevermind then.  I've always confused those two (Christian Scientists and Scientologists).

[eliphar17]

ah... nevermind then.  I've always confused those two (Christian Scientists and Scientologists).

Hah, the only thing they have in common is six letters of their name. You might as well confuse Yogi Berra for a yoga master (or Yoda's pupil).

[Pastense]

This building was the home and was restored by the short-lived Republic Bank in the mid-'80s. Republic bank and its owner, lawyer J. Nelson Happy, were involved in several notable historic preservation projects, including its original home at the northwest corner of 39th & Main. The bank's aggressive (risky?) loan policies led to it's quick demise. Nelson Happy left KC and became Dean of the law school at Jerry Fawell's Liberty University (connecting the building to yet another wacky cult). Happy was recently President of Mooney Aerospace (not related to the Rev. Moon) in Texas.

[dangerboy]

The Christian Science church is a Christian denomination.  The Church of Scientology has nothing to with Christianity.  The current Scientology  church is on East 39th Street just east of Main Street.

[ComandanteCero]

Hah, the only thing they have in common is six letters of their name. You might as well confuse Yogi Berra for a yoga master (or Yoda's pupil).

I think you overestimate my propensity to "care" about these distinctions when it comes to religious groups.  Now baseball and Star Wars are a different matter all together

[ShowMeKC]

Actually that isn't entirely right dangerboy (your first sentence), but as it relates to this discussion, it doesn't really matter.

I'm still extremely dissapointed in this, hopefully they don't put a sign up, and maybe they won't last in this area for a while, i'd much rather see a real business and real retail go into that building. Or even residences.

[Gretz]

I think this is a positive developement.  Controversial fringe groups are an important part of urban culture and a healthy tolerant city should have plenty of these.  They only add to the intellectual/cultural diversity of DT however nutty some may be, and we should embrace them.