While a lawsuit to lift land use restrictions at World Golf Village continues, St. Johns County is moving forward with a request for proposals to redevelop the World Golf Hall of Fame and IMAX theater building.
The RFP seeks an open-ended project that “serves the best interest of the County, and the Parties are able to successfully negotiate a contract for such partnership.”
As of June 27, there were 49 respondents. The deadline is July 31. According to the RFP, the goal is to present a negotiated contract to the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners on June 16, 2026.
The process will take place in two phases, with shortlisted proposals advancing. Any proposals requiring design or construction are automatically shortlisted.
Those submitting proposals must include a letter of bonding capability equal to at least 125% of the project cost.
The commission voted unanimously March 18 to pursue a public-private partnership. At the time, Deputy County Administrator Jesse Dunn said the structure would allow the county to retain oversight of the building and its future. The agreement would be governed by the state.
According to the RFP, the county is considering disposition, conveyance or sale of its property, including the Hall of Fame building and the land beneath it.
“The County is open to considering a variety of ownership structures during the property’s redevelopment phase, including public, private, or public-private arrangements, to ensure flexibility and support innovative proposals,” it says.
The World Golf Foundation closed the Hall of Fame in 2023 and relocated it to Pinehurst, North Carolina. The IMAX theater closed in late 2024.
In April 2024, the county approved a $5.5 million purchase and sale agreement for the PGA Entertainment Building and 36 surrounding acres at World Golf Village, including parking and a pond. However, the deal fell through when developer SJIT Land, formerly Fletcher Davis, declined to lift use restrictions.
The restrictions limit the land’s use to the Hall of Fame, PGA Productions, an IMAX or similar attraction, and an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse — for another 25 years.
Because the restrictions are private, removing or amending them requires a waiver from the developer. St. Johns County has no authority over them.
The county has always owned the land under the Hall of Fame. When the ground lease was terminated, ownership of the building reverted to the county.
The former PGA Production building and surrounding parcels are owned by the foundation.
In an attempt to lift the restrictions and potentially divest its properties, the foundation offered SJIT Land $100,000, then $200,000, according to CEO Greg McLaughlin. Both offers were rejected.
In February, the foundation filed suit through World Golf Foundation Inc. against the developer.
According to the Feb. 19 filing: “With the termination of the County Parcel Lease, the closure of the World Golf Hall of Fame and IMAX theater and the relocation of the PGA TOUR production facility and World Golf Hall of Fame, there has been a categorical end to the World Golf Vision, thereby rendering the Use Restriction unnecessary and unachievable.”
A hearing to dismiss the suit is scheduled for July 28.