{"id":11284,"date":"2023-03-02T13:40:47","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T18:40:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/collierclerk.com\/?p=11284"},"modified":"2026-01-20T12:59:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T17:59:37","slug":"golden-gate-golf-course-development-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/app.collierclerk.com\/collierclerkcom\/golden-gate-golf-course-development-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Golden Gate Golf Course Development Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"

In July 2019, Collier County purchased the Golden Gate Golf Course<\/strong>, located at the intersection of Collier Boulevard and Golden Gate Parkway, from its owners for $29.1 million with the goal of preventing it from being over-developed and with requests to maintain a public golf course. This 165-acre property was purchased with $28 million of borrowed funds, without full environmental studies and without a development plan in place. In subsequent County Commission meetings over the last few years, Commissioners proposed projects to include the development of a veterans nursing home, affordable housing, a redesigned golf course and a golfing entertainment center<\/strong> with an associated non-profit golfing program. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Golden Gate Golf Course property, once purchased by Collier County, became non-taxable property<\/strong>. The intended uses noted are also unlikely to generate a significant increase in tax base. While the entertainment center might add tax base and sales tax revenues, there are currently numerous unfunded aspects that could cost taxpayers. In addition, the County committed $7 million of taxpayer funds<\/strong> to support the golf course refurbishment (over $400,000 has been paid to date). To maintain the high quality of life that Collier County residents enjoy, it is important that we maintain a sustainable tax base.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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In 2020, after reviewing several presentations, a contract was negotiated with Rural Neighborhoods Inc. (RNI)<\/strong> to lead the development of affordable workforce housing<\/strong> on the southern end of the property. The proposed agreement included a one-year due diligence period, at no cost to the County, to allow RNI to coordinate and plan for the proposed housing and land development. In an agenda item at the February 14, 2023 Board meeting, there was a proposal offered by Commissioner Saunders that project impact fees be \u201cwaived\u201d<\/strong>.\u00a0 Impact fees, if not assessed on the project, require another funding mechanism e.g. general fund dollars be used to pay the fees. The project\u2019s impact fees are estimated to be at $5.7 million. This is a huge subsidy to the project.\u00a0 The selection of this project over many other proposed projects were selected under an Invitation To Negotiate (ITN) with requirements that include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n