What's next for World Golf Village? St. Johns County wants to hear developers' ideas

Lucia Viti, St. Augustine Record
·2 min read
World Golf Village
World Golf Village

At the end of April, the St. Augustine Record reported that St. Johns County purchased the Tour Production Building; parking and common space lots; the former Hall of Fame building; the IMAX Theater; and the grounds of the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort Convention Center and Hotel at World Golf Village for $5.5 million.

Now the St. Johns County Board of County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQs) for redeveloping World Golf Village.

According to a recent press release, the RFQs will afford the BOCC the opportunity to solicit proposals from developers based on community input through online surveys and public engagement meetings.

The most recent survey results received 4,976 responses with 4,601 responders marking themselves as county residents and 375 marked as nonresidents. Almost 55% of those surveyed lived within five miles of World Golf Village with almost 23% living within 10 miles. The remaining responses came from those living 11-25+ miles away.

Almost 60% said they visited the area 1-10 times per year with almost 15% visiting between 11 and 50. Thirteen percent visited more than 50 times and 8% marked themselves as never visiting.

Of these responses, more than 50% marked their reasons for their visit as the IMAX Theatre and dining. Scenery and ambiance were winners as reasons for their visit with 55% requesting more and better area activities.

Fifty percent requested that county maintain ownership of the theater and the Hall of Fame Building (1 World Golf Place) with over 35% having no strong opinion and 13% marking no.

Over 62% wish the IMAX Theatre to remain as such, with less than 20% marking it to be repurposed.

Almost 74% suggested to repurpose the World Golf Hall of Fame building for entertainment, with food and recreation following suit. Automobile, recreation, luxury apartments, industrial warehousing and big box retailers were listed in that order rejecting what the building should become.

21 World Golf Place won for professional corporate offices followed by nonprofit NGO offices, municipal government, and research scientists once the building is vacated.

And over 70% would like to see the county maintain South Legacy Trails.

According to the press release, next steps include the RFQ to include:

  • Define the site vision, concept, and goals.

  • Establish selection criteria.

  • Develop and publish the RFQ October 2024.

  • Conduct independent financial feasibility analysis of the submitted proposals.

  • Select a development partner in 2025.

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: St. Johns County seeks ideas for redeveloping World Golf Village