ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County commissioners unanimously voted to pursue a public-private partnership (P3) proposal for the World Golf Hall of Fame property, marking a significant step in the ongoing discussions about its future.
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Administrator Joy Andrews provided insights into the future of the Hall of Fame building and the IMAX theater located within it.
Andrews said the building is part of a larger property with a complex history. Originally conceived in the 1990s, the World Golf Village was developed with the intent of creating a Hall of Fame and golf course. Over the years, the PGA Foundation announced plans to relocate, leading to discussions about the future of the remaining property.
The county has actively engaged the community through surveys and town hall meetings to gauge interest in the property.
“We obtained a good report outlining what the community wants and how they prioritize their vision for the village,” she said.
Andrews added that they have received numerous unsolicited proposals for various uses, including a swimming school, an indoor sports complex, a theater, and even a vocational school.
“The options are quite broad at this point,” she noted.
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The county’s ownership of the Hall of Fame building stems from a bond program that required public ownership to support the partnership with the PGA Foundation. However, complications arose during negotiations to acquire the PGA production building, leading the county to back out of that deal.
The IMAX theater, which the PGA Foundation previously operated, is a significant focus of the discussions. The community has expressed a desire to keep a theater in the area, but challenges are associated with the IMAX franchise, including upgrade costs and franchise fees.
“Anything could potentially happen with the theater,” Andrews said. “We don’t have a confined scope of what we’re looking for, but the theater is high on the community’s priority list.”
She also mentioned that the ongoing maintenance costs for the property could reach up to a million dollars.
“The cost of just sitting on the property can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Andrews explained. “We want to minimize that burden on our residents as quickly as possible.”
As the county prepares to issue a request for proposals (RFP), Andrews emphasized the importance of community value in any potential partnership.
“We want to make it easy for businesses or individuals with ideas to submit proposals that meet state statute requirements and align with the board’s goals,” she said.
Andrews remains optimistic about the potential for the Hall of Fame building and IMAX theater.
“The location is central to St. Johns County and has the potential to bring significant economic and tourism opportunities,” she said.