For my personal tastes, yes, I completely agree with Andy that this project could be done in a better / different way that could provide a special course to the area.
That said, South Florida golf is a unique animal and many different, competing factors for its success (in a local context).
I suspect there are going to be a lot of failed golf developments in and around the South Florida area and its smart for the city to get involved and keep the courses going for both public play as well as to preserve property values to adjacent properties. I'd guess this won't be the first time that either PB County or City of Boca will step into a situation like this.
For example, when I lived in Boca Raton in the Mid 90's (when I was helping iGOLF get going), my apartment was adjacent to a semi-private course called Mizner Trail / Boca Del Mar (not to be confused with Camino Del Mar next door). In the early 2000's the course went under (little or no architectural merit) and has gone native and become a major eyesore. I just googled the course and saw that there's a major redevelopment battle going on for the land
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-mizner-golf-ruling-20150219-story.htmlBack to the actual plan for redevelopment:
$14MM to build the course - certainly not minimalist, however, this is South Florida and I can only imagine the extra engineering and water management expense to address drainage and other issues (especially if/when the South Florida water board and Army Corp get involved with wetland management).
Architects that are bidding: I'm not a fan of many of the usual suspects that are bidding on the project. However, being a public entity, they have to put it out to bid, and of course the Norman, Jones and other big outfits are going to participate. I'd be interested to hear if they were smart enough to reach out to the rising / boutique architects to get involved as well and do they want to get involved in the bureaucracy that this project entails? (side note, nice to see that Richard Mandrell of Pinehurst and frequent CGA contributor put in a bid).
18 holes vs. 27: Sure, do more with with the land is preferred. We (GCA cognoscenti) all would like wide playing corridors and many strategic options. The average Boca Muni customer probably wants nice greens, low greens fees in season and faster play.
$2MM for clubhouse and learning center: That's more than reasonable spend and, like the Delray Muni, you may find that locals will congregate at the muni lounge for drinks and meals, beyond their golf.
Hotel Parcel: This is VERY valuable real estate, suspect that the hotel is both to fund the project AND to placate those who wish for the land to go to further development (vs. affordable golf).
I looked at the aerial view of the land.
https://www.google.com/maps/search/ocean+breeze+golf+boca+raton/@26.4025994,-80.0841173,1703m/data=!3m1!1e3Its surprisingly open for a South Florida course (few narrow corridors lined with homes on both sides). Clearly, the architect will have to figure out how to best use the constrained land on the right side of the property. The west side of the properly adjacent to I-95 may provide the ability to get very creative with the available land and few drainage ponds.