Plans for the redevelopment of property at World Golf Village might take a year to be finalized, according to St. Johns County, but ideas on what should happen there are taking place now.
The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners voted April 16 to buy the 36.7-acre site that surrounds the former World Golf Hall of Fame for $5.5 million from the World Golf Village Foundation Inc.
The deal, which has not closed, includes the PGA Tour Productions building and surrounding parking lots and pathways. The county already owned the Hall of Fame and IMAX building.
St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners Chair Sara Arnold said the buildings will not be demolished, calling them “turnkey” and that whatever tenants move in will have to retrofit the spaces.
World Golf Village business and property owners there have thoughts on what should replace the Hall of Fame and production studios buildings.
Shops at World Golf Village
Through WGV Commercial LLC, American Commercial Realty of Palm Beach Gardens owns and leases a large portion of the property at World Golf Village, including the Shops at World Golf Village.
American Commercial Realty President Rick Baer said the shops are fully leased and that World Golf Village is a “tremendous asset” despite public confusion that when the foundation left, the entire village closed.
Tenants at the shops include wedding venue Crystal Ballroom, Trilogy Salon and Suites and Lion’s Den Karate.
While not sure exactly what he would like to see in the vacated buildings, Baer wants something that equally honors the history of the area while looking to the future.
“We were disappointed the Hall of Fame didn’t go all-in to become the success everybody wanted, (but) it gives us an opportunity to use that space to come up with something even better for the community and more representative of what the eras of the 2020s, 2030s and 2040s want and need,” Baer said.
He suggests “something that contributes to the quality of life and (is) easily accessible to the county.”
“We look forward to working with St. Johns County as the World Golf Village area evolves to better serve the community over the next decade.”
Baer said, at one time, American Commercial Realty approached the foundation about buying its property but it was rejected.
American Commercial Realty also owns the property operated by World Golf Village anchor Murray Bros. Caddyshack. In early July, the restaurant signed a new 10-year lease.
The restaurant’s cofounders, Mac Haskell and Andy Murray, said the properties should be developed with a focus on entertainment.
“I would hope the county makes it some sort of a destination,” Haskell said.
“I like the idea of a concert hall or performing arts center. Something like that. It would be great and beneficial for World Golf Village,” he said.
“The Hall of Fame was never a big generator of revenue for us.”
Murray, who is the brother of actor and comedian Bill Murray, said he likes the idea of a performing arts venue.
“I think that would be great. If they could get a great lineup on a regular basis that would be fantastic,” he said.
“We need to get that thing up and running.”
Haskell said he would welcome another restaurant if that was a part of the plan.
“We’ve been here so long that we’re kind of a staple. I welcome competition.”
‘Destination attraction’
While it was moving toward buying the property, the county hired Indianapolis-based consulting firm TPMA Inc., to analyze data from survey respondents and comments from public meetings to recommend future steps.
Based on the findings, the TPMA report recommends “creating a destination attraction, which would include a combination of businesses, all aimed at serving a high-end clientele.”
“The intention is to create a critical mass of entertainment, retail, and restaurant venues sufficient to draw visitors into the WGV and provide an enticing mix of activities for residents. Redevelopment of this area should be strategically oriented towards revenue generation and expanding the economic base for the County,” it said.
What’s next
Arnold said the county plans to issue a national Request for Qualifications to solicit proposals from developers based on the report.
“It will broadcast far and wide,” she said. “We’re talking about what could be the jewel of St. Johns County.”
Arnold didn’t specify how long solicitation would be open, but after proposals are returned, her goal would be for the county to review them and narrow them down to three.
At that point, she said the public would likely be engaged before a final selection is made.
“We are just getting started and we have a long way to go,” she said.
The county has not closed on the property, but Arnold was told by general counsel it would be happening soon.
The World Golf Foundation announced in July 2022 that it would close the Hall of Fame and relocate it to its original home in Pinehurst, North Carolina. It shut down Sept. 1, 2023.
PGA Tour Productions plans to relocate from its 32,329-square-foot building at World Golf Village to the PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach at the end of 2024.