If plans are approved, the three-story entertainment venue would be constructed on a 12.6-acre plot adjacent to the municipal golf course. A new clubhouse and hotel would be included in the project.

In West Palm Beach, Fla., The Palm Beach Post reported an effort to rejuvenate the city’s municipal golf course was revived at a late-January meeting of the city commission, with officials choosing to reopen talks with WPB Golf Links LLC. That firm has proposed redoing West Palm Beach GC’s greens while also adding a Topgolf entertainment complex and building a new clubhouse and hotel on the property, The Post reported.

The city previously chose WPB, but withdrew from further discussions last November, after difficulties in with obtaining clear title to all parcels that comprise the 196-acre course, according to The Post’s report. But after a new request for proposals, and presentations on January 25 by WPB Golf and three competing firms—and assurances from the city manager that the title problems were close to being resolved—the city commission scored the firm ahead of the rest of the field by a large margin, The Post reported.

The ability to move quickly with the long-delayed project would be a key point in making the decision, Commissioner Keith James said before to the board’s selection, The Post reported. The fact that extensive negotiations with WPB Golf and recent title discussions with the county and state had resolved most issues with the firm meant it likely could put shovels in the ground sooner, officials said.

According to WPB Golf attorney Marty Perry, the firm plans to retain 169 acres for the 18-hole course. On the southwestern side of the property, 12.6 acres are designated for the Topgolf facility, which would include a three-story electronic driving range, restaurant and meeting venue, The Post reported. The 150-room hotel and stand-alone, public clubhouse would be next to it.

The entrance to the course would be moved, with 300 rental apartments to be built beside a canal, where kayaking and other waterfront uses are contemplated, The Post reported. At least 20 percent of the apartments would be designated as “workforce” units, with rents restricted to make them more affordable for workers.

The late discovery that sections of the city-owned course were owned by the county helped derail talks several months ago, as it would be difficult to attract a lender to finance the project without ownership assured, according to The Post’s report. City Manager Jeff Green said that County Administrator Verdenia Baker told him about a month ago that the county would be willing to OK the project, particularly if some of the housing was designated as “workforce.”

With the lowest score considered the best, the mayor and commissioners’ combined rankings gave WPB Golf a 4; McGetrick Golf Management, 13; Pulte Group/Divosta Homes, 14; and Greg Norman Golf Course Design, 17, The Post reported.