Veronica PiscitelliSt. Johns County, Florida is seeking proposals to redevelop the World Golf Village. In an agreement governed by the state, the Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to pursue a public-private partnership (P3) to redevelop the site, which hosts the World Golf Hall of Fame and an IMAX theater.
While the agreement will allow the county to retain oversight and determine the future of the building, they are seeking innovative partners to revitalize and reimagine the area.
Applicants’ proposals must include a letter of bonding capability equal to at least 125% of the project cost. The RFP will be in two phases, with shortlisted proposals advancing to the second phase. Any proposals requiring design or construction will be automatically shortlisted. The deadline to submit proposals is July 31, 2025.
The county will pursue an open-ended project that best serves the county’s best interests and anticipates the parties involved can successfully negotiate a contract for such partnership. They are considering the disposition, conveyance, or sale of the property, including the Hall of Fame building and the land beneath it. The goal is to present a negotiated contract to the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners on June 16, 2026.
Since late 2024, an ongoing lawsuit to lift land-use restrictions on the World Golf Village property has hindered any sale, progress, or redevelopment of the area.
In April 2024, the county approved a $5.5 million purchase and sale agreement for the PGA Entertainment building, the 36 surrounding acres at World Golf Village, the parking lot, and a pond. However, this deal fell through as the developer, SJIT Land, formerly called Fletcher David, declined to lift use restrictions.
The restrictions limit the land’s use to the Hall of Fame, PGA Productions, an IMAX or similar attraction, an 18-hole golf course and a clubhouse for the next 25 years. Since the restrictions are private, St. Johns County has no authority over them, and they require a waiver from the developer to remove them.
The county has always owned the land under the Hall of Fame and gained ownership of the building in April 2024 when the ground lease was terminated, and the ownership reverted to the county. The PGA Production building and surrounding parcels are still owned by the foundation.
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