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TALLAHASSEE - City commissioners unanimously elected to postpone any actions regarding the future of Capital City Country Club, asking for more information on the matter.
The recent city hall meeting marked the first time in over a month that the commissioners had formally discussed the country club and the potential sale of over a million dollars to the club.
On Sept.17, the commissioners permitted the city manager to negotiate a sale of the property, with a 3-2 vote, where Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jacqueline Porter were the dissenting opinions.
Similar to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH), the city has leased the property to Capital City Country Club for a charitable rate of $1 per year. Currently, Florida State University (FSU) is attempting to acquire TMH, an issue that was also on the agenda for the commissioners.
In contrast to the FSU and TMH merger, Capital City Country Club is home to dozens of slave graves, a topic that city hall encountered in 2021. To preface the September and October meetings, which have shifted focus to a sale, in 2021, the goal was to build a memorial to respect the graves and history.
Despite approved plans to create the memorial nearly 5 years ago, there is little to show for it.
“I know that there have been obstacles, but that's been a long time for nothing to have happened," Commissioner Curtis Richardson said.
Now attention has been brought towards a sale.
Despite slow progress towards a memorial, some citizens are opposed to a sale and in favor of the city retaining the property.
“Obviously, we would prefer the property remain in the public hands. We think this is an important, beautiful piece of property," Vice President of Woodland Neighborhood Association Jeff Blair said.
“I think first is that anything selling public property should always be done after a thorough vetting,” Blair added, believing the sale is moving too fast, a theme common with the TMH and FSU merger.
Another speaker questioned the reason a sale has been contemplated in the first place.
Capital City Country Club website
“If Capital City's business model cannot sustain itself under those financial conditions, then they should consider ceasing operations,” Gregory Uchuck said regarding the minimal annual rent the club pays.
Matt Copaka furthered Gregory’s point, stating, “We would like to know why you can't maintain it without you all purchasing."
In a similar fashion to the public speakers, the commissioners unanimously decided to postpone any potential sale of the country club, a contrast from the 3-2 decisions the Tallahassee Commissioners often face.
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