City to Consider Sale of Capital City Country Club Golf Course

During their next meeting on December 10, the Tallahassee City Commission is poised to vote on the sale of the 179-acre city-owned property that is currently leased to the Capital City Country Club through August 2055.

After an inquiry by the club about purchasing the property, followed by a staff analysis, city staff is seeking city commission approval to sell the property to the Capital City Country Club in the amount of $1,255,000.

Staff has prepared a Purchase and Sale Agreement, and additional transaction documents that would add multiple layers of provisions and terms ensuring permanent use as a golf course and public access to the commemorative area and cemetery.

The agenda item notes that approximately 20 responses have been received as a result of notifications mailed to 608 adjacent and surrounding property owners and residents within 1,000 feet of the golf course. Some respondents are in favor of the sale under conditions such as the property remaining a golf course or a partnership established with FAMU’s golf team for use of the course.  A majority of the responses supported maintaining City ownership or a sale of the property with various restrictions on the future use of the property. 

For example, the Myers Park Neighborhood Association provided a position statement on the sale of the golf course including an example easement, expressing a preference that the City continue to lease the property to the Country Club, or provisional support for the sale of the golf course under detailed conditions restricting the use of the property as a golf course and commemorate burial sites, and preserving the property’s natural and historic resources and scenic open space in perpetuity. 

In addition, Florida A&M University Board of Trustees has submitted a letter of support to the City of Tallahassee offering support for the sale of the golf course. The Country Club and FAMU have signed an agreement formalizing the commitment to “hosting collegiate golf competitions for FAMU upon completion of course improvements; FAMU Golf Team access for practice; hosting events and fundraisers benefiting the FAMU student body; and events and programs for the betterment of the City of Tallahassee and the community.”