TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – City commissioners voted unanimously in a Wednesday meeting to delay the sale of land to the Capital City Country Club and to look at other options to finance or manage the club.<\/p>\n
The vote comes amid pushback from local activists, and years after a cemetery was discovered on the land containing numerous graves <\/a>of formerly enslaved people. While the city proposed a memorial be built on the site in 2021, it did not come to fruition. <\/p>\n During the meeting, city staff reported that most public responses recommended the city retain ownership or sell the land with significant restrictions. <\/p>\n Sixteen speakers signed up to address the sale to city commissioners, with many expressing concern about the long-term consequences of a sale and frustration about the lack of a memorial at the gravesite.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s to prevent someone from changing the zoning back?\u201d one speaker asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy hasn\u2019t the memorial started already?\u201d another speaker said. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to hear about golf carts driving over the graves.\u201d<\/p>\n Delilah Pierre, a community activist, said she knows very little about her past, and the community needs to recognize the gravesite.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been robbed of the right to learn about my ancestry… the people who died there would be upset that generations after them know nothing about them,\u201d Pierre said. \u201cWe need to respect the Black community and give them what they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox said it matters if the golf course is sold or not, addressing a lack of a memorial at the site. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad there\u2019s great concern for the slaves who are buried on that site… work has continued but not at the speed we would have liked,\u201d Williams-Cox said. \u201cI\u2019m looking at emails from 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n The Tallahassee branch of the NAACP released a statement Wednesday opposing the sale, saying the initial lease happened in an effort to avoid desegregation, \u201cand maintain its status as a whites-only private entity.\u201d<\/p>\n Following public comment, Commissioner Jeremy Matlow said the city should avoid selling the property to ensure the city retains ownership of the gravesite. <\/p>\n He said the country club needs $2 to 4 million in investments, and floated the idea of the city offering the loan. <\/p>\n \u201cIt would guarantee golf is the future,\u201d he said. \u201cWe can make sure the course doesn\u2019t go under.\u201d<\/p>\n Commissioner Curtis Richardson asked Mr. Baggett, the spokesperson for the country club, what would happen if the property isn\u2019t purchased. <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s 30 years remaining on the lease,\u201d he said. \u201cIt would remain in that state. The memorial will be installed with or without the sale.\u201d<\/p>\n Happening now: The City of Tallahassee is considering selling its golf course to a country club, who currently rent it. <\/p>\n There’s a big issue: A cemetery containing the graves of formerly enslaved people was found years ago, but no memorial was ever built. pic.twitter.com\/J0ToMDkGcC<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Matt Hoffmann (@ByMattHoffmann) October 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Baggett said the club sought to purchase the land as they have a major course improvement project approaching that can only be completed if they have a title for the land. <\/p>\n When asked by a commissioner if there has been a delay from the country club on memorializing the gravesite, he responded, saying the club is working with the city and has given them an easement. <\/p>\n \u201cRight now, [the gravesite is] just marked by rope on a stake,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n