1875 Airport Drive (The Landings) Public-Private Partnership

Announcement

The Landings Golf Course remains open and welcomes golfers to come out and enjoy a round! The course continues to operate as usual, with no changes to golf operations while the city evaluates a proposal for the property's future.

  • Project typePublic-private partnership
an aerial view of a golf course

The city of Clearwater is evaluating a proposal to redevelop The Landings Golf Course, a city-owned property at 1875 Airport Drive, through a public-private partnership (P3).

The approximately 77-acre property currently operates as a public golf course and represents a significant amount of contiguous open space in Pinellas County, Florida's most densely populated county, where large parcels of land are increasingly limited.

In 2024, the Florida Legislature updated the state's public-private partnership law, which establishes a process for government agencies to evaluate development proposals from private entities. In January 2026, Clearwater updated its own procedures to align with Florida Statute 255.065. The Landings is among the first proposals the city has evaluated under this updated process.

In November 2025, the city received an unsolicited proposal from Sunshine Recreational and Entertainment LLC to redevelop the property into a sports, recreation and entertainment complex. Following an initial review, the city conducted a competitive solicitation process and received two proposals: one from Sunshine Recreational and Entertainment LLC, submitted through Porter Development LLC, and another from Clearwater Golf Associates, the existing golf course operator.

On Oct. 14, 2026, City Council voted 4-0 to authorize staff to negotiate an interim agreement with Sunshine Recreational and Entertainment LLC.

This action does not constitute final approval of the development. It allows the city to further evaluate the project's feasibility, potential impacts and proposed terms. Any final comprehensive agreement would require additional City Council consideration.

What is being proposed?

Sunshine Recreational and Entertainment LLC has proposed replacing the existing golf course with a multiuse sports, recreation and entertainment complex.

The proposal includes the following facilities and amenities:

  • 12 multipurpose fields (10 outdoor synthetic turf fields, 1 grass championship field, and 1 indoor synthetic turf field)

  • Racquet Club (24 indoor Pickleball courts, 4 indoor Padel courts)

  • 12 Sand Volleyball courts and 2 recreational putting greens

  • FieldHouse = 8 indoor Basketball courts

    These features are proposed, not approved. The site design, building sizes, parking configuration, financing, operational plans and other elements may change during negotiations and subsequent review.

A site map of a proposal for The Landings golf course

 

The revised conceptual site plan shows athletic fields, parking, recreational facilities and other proposed improvements. It also identifies approximately 2,075 parking spaces. The proposal includes design changes intended to address some neighborhood concerns, including perimeter landscaping, privacy walls and changes to vehicle access.  

Location

1875 Airport Drive, Clearwater 33765  View Map

Google Map

Timeline

October-December 2025: Initial proposals received
The city received an unsolicited redevelopment proposal in October and an updated submission in December.

January-May 2026: Preliminary city review
City departments conducted a high-level review, and an outside consultant performed financial analysis.

Aug. 6, 2026: City Council consideration
City Council authorized staff to accept the unsolicited proposal for further consideration and solicit competing proposals.

Aug. 19-Sept. 21, 2026: Competitive solicitation
The city advertised RFP 56-26. Two proposals were received by the deadline.

Oct. 1, 2026: Proposal evaluation
A committee reviewed and scored the proposals using published evaluation criteria. Sunshine Recreational and Entertainment LLC was the highest-ranked proposer.

Oct. 12, 2026: City Council work session
Proposers presented their concepts and answered council members' questions.

Oct. 14, 2026: City Council action
City Council voted 4-0 to authorize negotiations for an interim agreement with Sunshine Recreational and Entertainment LLC. The mayor did not participate in the vote because of a disclosed voting conflict.

Next steps: Further review and negotiations
The city may consider additional technical studies, financing details, public concerns and proposed contractual protections before any final comprehensive agreement is presented for consideration. The next update is expected after Monday, Nov. 9.

Other Resources

Other City Projects

Back to top