This aerial view shows the World Golf Hall of Fame at World Golf Village in St. Augustine. | Visit St. Augustine
Published on April 15, 2024 at 12:19 pm
As tenants move out, the St. Johns County Commission on Tuesday will discuss a potential $5.5 million plan to buy the majority of the World Golf Village property in St. Augustine.
The World Golf Hall of Fame closed in 2023; the PGA Tour is slated to move out of its property next year; and the IMAX theater will remain open until the county locates a new operator. But St. Johns County says now may be the right time to take over the 37-acre property.
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“These departures and relocations provide a turning point for the (St. Johns County) community, offering a unique opportunity to shape the development of these properties that align with the community’s vision and needs,” a staff report presented to the County Council reads,
St. Johns County already owns and leases parcels at the World Golf Village that host the IMAX Theater and the Renaissance Hotel. But the World Golf Foundation bought the 37-acre World Golf Village property in the 1990s.
If the purchase is approved, ownership will transfer back to the county. The foundation would continue to operate the IMAX Theater and maintain the property’s common space until next year.
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In addition to the theater and the empty World Golf Hall of Fame Museum facility, village properties also host several restaurants, golf courses and a church.
If the County Commission approves the purchase, it will leverage $2 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds, $2 million from the county’s capital improvement fund and $1.5 million from impact fees the county collects.
What could the county do with the property? The county surveyed residents last year about what they’d like to see take up residence in the World Golf Village, and chief among those suggestions were a church, a new school, a library and more opportunities for shopping and dining.
The St. Johns County Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday to discuss the plan. The commission meets twice a month in the County Auditorium at 500 San Sebastian View in St. Augustine. Meetings also are broadcast live on the county’s website.
Other items on the agenda include discussion of plans to build up to four new fire stations and a fire rescue facility and recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
Visit the county’s website for a full agenda for Tuesday’s meeting.
Editor’s note: This story was edited to include information about other items on the April 16 agenda.
