{"id":12283,"date":"2023-06-29T16:29:39","date_gmt":"2023-06-29T20:29:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/collierclerk.com\/?p=12283"},"modified":"2026-01-20T12:59:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T17:59:36","slug":"updates-on-the-golden-gate-golf-course-development-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/app.collierclerk.com\/collierclerkcom\/updates-on-the-golden-gate-golf-course-development-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Updates on the Golden Gate Golf Course Development Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"

In our March 2023 newsletter<\/a>, we provided details on the current ongoing projects<\/a> in the government-acquired Golden Gate Golf Course, which includes the development of Affordable Housing, a State Veterans Nursing facility, and a golf & entertainment complex.<\/strong> We are continuing to monitor and share updates on these ongoing projects. As of the June 27, 2023, Board of County Commissioners Meeting, here are some notable updates on the Golden Gate Golf Course Development Projects:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Affordable Housing\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

The April 25th Board of County Commissioners Meeting included a recommendation to approve the First Amendment to Developer Agreement<\/strong> with Rural Neighborhoods, Inc., to develop Housing. The First Amendment stipulates the following:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The area to be used by Rural Neighborhoods is proposed to be reduced by 1.64 acres<\/strong> to remove the greenway. This reduction will result in County maintenance of the greenway<\/strong> as part of the golf course, which means additional costs shouldered by the County.\u00a0<\/li>\n
  2. Provide corrections and clarifications re: unit totals and types to be developed<\/strong> due to the proposed inclusion of Federal and State grant funding. Rural Neighborhoods will build at least 350 units as initially outlined in the Developer Agreement. The units will continue to be rented as originally approved, with priority given to two tiers of Essential Service Personnel. Tier 1 will include individuals in the Healthcare, Education, and Emergency Services sectors; Tier 2 will consist of Government employees.\u00a0<\/li>\n
  3. Clarify the construction timeline<\/strong> and the anticipated schedule for each Phase completion to be submitted to the County.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In addition, the Board was requested to approve the Collier County Standard Form Long-Term Ground Lease<\/strong> with Rural Neighborhoods, Inc. for a nominal annual rent of $10<\/strong> for their 99-year term lease. The County’s investment into the subject property is roughly $5.5 million considering the cost of the land and zoning work required; this funding is expected to come from the Infrastructure Sales Surtax Fund. Once the Infrastructure Surtax Tax Committee validates this project, $855,684 will be moved to the Park’s Impact Fee Fund for a portion of the initial cash outlay plus four years of debt service payments.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    State Veterans Nursing Home\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

    $30 million<\/strong> worth of funds from the Infrastructure Sales Surtax Funding were successfully transferred to the State Veteran Services<\/strong> on May 2023 as requested by the Collier County Board of County Commissioners for the construction and development of the State Veterans’ Nursing Home Facility. A month later, the Board approved allocating another $10 million<\/strong> to construct additional square footage to incorporate adult day health care and outpatient therapy services in the facility<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

    The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) covers both services as a benefit for veterans, however, construction of the square footage required to host these services is only considered as part of a construction grant<\/strong> application seeking matching funds for the renovation of an existing facility; it cannot be a part of a construction grant application for a new skilled nursing facility. Thus, to offer these critical services to local veterans, the State applicant must bear the cost.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Senate President Kathleen Passidomo<\/strong> discussed the possibility of State matching funds of $10M for the proposed adult day health care and outpatient therapy services conceptually approved by the BCC at the recent June 27 meeting. Also approved at this meeting was the relocation of the long-term Veterans community care campus<\/strong>, which could become a national model for services to Veterans according to State Veteran\u2019s Services speakers.\u00a0 The Veterans Center will move to the 18 Acre parcel<\/strong> at the south corner of Golden Gate Parkway and Collier Boulevard, originally planned for the BigShots Golf and Entertainment Complex. This larger parcel will allow for a single-story complex to enable the proposed expanded veterans\u2019 services.<\/p>\n

    There are still outstanding items, including:<\/p>\n