News Summary
The Tallahassee City Commission is set to discuss a proposal to sell city-owned land leased to the Capital City Country Club. The proposed sale price is $1,150,000, contrasted with a higher secondary appraisal. The discussion is influenced by community concerns about the land’s future use, including commitments to preserve existing burial sites. The FAMU Board supports the sale for future operations of the Country Club. Notifications were sent to nearby residents, revealing mixed community sentiments about the proposal.
The Tallahassee City Commission is preparing to review a proposal to sell city-owned land, currently leased to the Capital City Country Club, during its meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The property located at 833 Santa Rosa Drive has garnered significant interest due to ongoing community concerns regarding its future use.
The Capital City Country Club has proposed a purchase price of $1,150,000, according to their appraisal. However, a secondary city appraisal has valued the property at $1,255,000. Both appraisals assess the land’s market value strictly as a golf course, with imposed restrictions limiting its future use to golf, and they do not explore other potential development opportunities for the site.
The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees has publicly conveyed its “enthusiastic support” for the sale, signaling a desire to actively engage in the Country Club’s future operations. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been established between FAMU and the Country Club, planning events such as collegiate golf competitions and fundraising activities benefiting the university.
To keep residents informed about the potential sale, notifications were distributed to 608 property owners and residents living within 1,000 feet of the course. As of now, the city has received 12 responses to this outreach, indicating a level of community engagement in the proceedings. The Myers Park Neighborhood Association, while preferring continued leasing of the land, has expressed conditional support for the sale. Their approval hinges on agreements to maintain the property strictly as a golf course and to honor existing burial sites onsite.
In response to community concerns, the sale proposal includes a Cemetery Commemoration and Maintenance Agreement, designated to honor the unmarked African American graves located on the property. City officials are working to develop a purchase agreement that stipulates a deed restriction, ensuring the property’s continued use as a golf course into the future.
Previously, on September 17, 2025, city officials voted 3-2 to direct the city manager to pursue additional property appraisals and enhance the proposed sale strategy. Growing worries among neighborhood groups about potential redevelopment have surfaced, stoking public fears that residential building projects could replace the golf course. To address these concerns, the chair of the Capital City Country Club board has reiterated their commitment to using the land exclusively for golf course operations, dismissing any intentions for development.
Despite commitments from the Country Club’s board, some city leaders and residents maintain a skeptical view towards assurances regarding the future of the land, referencing prior instances of community trust erosion. If the proposal proceeds, proceeds from the sale aims to fund the implementation of a memorial site for the burial grounds. This project has an estimated budget of $98,000.
The community’s historical advocates have voiced fears over the sale potentially impacting burial sites, especially following the discovery of unmarked graves of enslaved individuals on the property in 2019. Furthermore, the city’s plans for establishing the memorial site have experienced delays due to a variety of factors, including disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and a tornado incident in 2024.
As part of the public process, the city has posted legal notices surrounding the perimeter of the golf course regarding the proposed sale. Overall, community sentiment about the transaction remains divided, with numerous residents and neighborhood associations firmly opposing a sale while emphasizing the historical significance and future use of the golf course.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Capital City Country Club Valuation
- WTXL: Second Appraisal of Capital City Country Club Land
- Tallahassee Reports: City to Consider Sale of Country Club Property
- Wikipedia: Tallahassee
- Tallahassee.com: Sale Riles Neighbors
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
