Council ranks land for new county courthouse

MILTON— City staffers have ranked prospective areas for the new county courthouse.

During the March Committee of the Whole meeting, the city council instructed city staff to evaluate each land parcel within and adjacent to city limits to support a new county courthouse.

At the April 3 Executive Committee meeting, council members considered the list and chose three areas.

The top parcel is across from the intersection of Dogwood Drive and Open Rose Drive, adjacent to the City of Milton. The 13.1-acre property is currently vacant.

The second parcel is near the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 90 and Old Bagdad Highway, adjacent to the City of Milton. This area is 44.9 acres, and its current use is governmental.

The last parcel on their list is the current location in downtown Milton at the southwest corner of Caroline and Willing streets.

“The staff added the current location to the list in light of the recent (University of West Florida) Haas (Center) study published in local news sources,” City Manager Brian Watkins said. “The study indicated 32.6 percent of residents are content with the current location and 34.9 percent would like to see the historic building renovated.”

Council members Ashley Lay, Sharon Holley and Pat Lunsford requested the current location be added to the list, specifically because of respondents’ opinion on the Haas study, according to Watkins.

City leaders will vote on the matter April 11; they will present their top choice to the Board of County Commissioners.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Council ranks land for new county courthouse