Clearwater City Council is set to weigh two very different visions for the 77‑acre Landings Golf Course. During a Monday work session, council members will receive five‑minute presentations from the two developers and will vote on Wednesday to begin negotiations with the chosen party.
Competing proposals
The first offer comes from Clearwater Golf Associates, which seeks to extend its existing lease for another 20 years and make modest improvements to the existing course. The second, presented by Porter Development, calls for a 99‑year lease and a $180 million investment to transform the site into a sports and entertainment complex. The proposed complex would feature multipurpose fields, covered pickleball courts, sand volleyball courts, a family entertainment center, and a resort‑style water park.
Support from local coaches
Several local coaches have voiced enthusiasm for the larger project, citing potential economic benefits for families in the area. Ken Jewell, president of the Clearwater Chargers Soccer Club, said, “We have major tournaments that run every year, lots of economic impact that’s now going to Sarasota and Manatee County that, quite frankly, we would rather have here in the city of Clearwater.”
Neighborhood and environmental concerns
Opposition is organized by the grassroots group Keep Keene Green, which urges the council to consider neighborhood impacts and protect natural resources before moving forward. Residents near the course have expressed worries about increased traffic and noise from a large‑scale complex.
Beth Davis of Keep Keene Green also highlighted a 2019 geotechnical and environmental study that identified contamination in property debris, including arsenic, lead, dieldrin, chlordane, and toxaphene. She said the city should review those findings closely before approving either proposal.
Council timeline
The council work session is scheduled for Monday at 1:30 p.m. The public may attend, but there will be no public comment during that session. Residents will have an opportunity to speak at the full council meeting on Wednesday, which begins at 6 p.m. At that meeting, council members are expected to vote on which developer to begin negotiations with.
What’s at stake
The decision will shape the future of a prominent city asset and could affect traffic patterns, local recreation options, and the city’s tax base. Extending the golf lease would preserve the existing course and its current user base, while the proposed sports complex promises new amenities that could draw families from across the region and generate additional revenue.
Both proposals have clear supporters and detractors, and the council’s choice will reflect how Clearwater balances growth with community concerns and environmental stewardship.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
