MILTON — Should the Milton historic district be considered endangered?
According to the Florida Historic Trust, yes.
The FHT, a nonprofit organization, aims “to promote the preservation of the architectural, historical and archaeological heritage of Florida through advocacy, education and historic property stewardship,” according to www.floridatrust.org.
FHT annually releases a list of both awards for groups and individuals demonstrating exemplary preservation and an endangered sites list of locations threatened by neglect, age, and government action. The Milton historic district has been on the endangered list from 2011 to 2014, and was on the watch list last year and this year.
The Milton historic district’s placement on these lists has hinged on “Florida Department of Transportation’s plan to widen Highway 90 (which) may impact historic district,” as the listing says for this year.
FDOT is conducting a study on the best way to alleviate traffic on Highway 90, with the leading alternative being four-laning the road through downtown Milton. FDOT’s study scored the alternative the highest out of four and noted it would have the least impact, but would necessitate moving the Fisher Hamilton building at the intersection of Caroline and Willing Streets on the southeast corner.
Randy Jorgenson, Milton city planner, said FDOT’s study is “an ongoing exercise to (find an) appropriate solution to a problem that has plagued this community for decades. That process is not complete. At this point in time, the alternative those individuals are charged with selecting remains to be seen bearing in mind public input has a lot in the process.”
As to the FHT, Jorgenson said, “We have said for some time we don’t understand from our perspective how we ever found our way on this list. The city has always taken steps to try to protect its resources.”
He noted moving the Fisher Hamilton building 60 feet south, as FDOT proposes can be done, wouldn’t be the biggest change to downtown with a new judicial center planned for the future by the county.
“From an appearance standpoint, it will change, but from my perspective, it will change in a positive way.”
Vernon Compton, Santa Rosa Historical Society president, said being on the watch list is significant. “(Being on the watch list) just indicates that the Milton Historic District is a significant resource in the state of Florida … I think it’s a very strong statement, of course; one the Santa Rosa Historical Society supports because we believe FDOT should really consider all alternatives to minimize impacts to Milton and surrounding area.”
As to moving from the endangered list to the watch list, Compton said it doesn’t necessarily have to do with the Milton historic district being closer to in the clear.
“There are lots of endangered properties in districts throughout the state, in national and state level. It’s a fairly competitive process, with so many resources that are endangered. There are others even in our local area right now that have been getting a lot of attention like the John Sundy house in Pensacola,” a house built in 1901 and threatened with demolition for redevelopment.
As reported in September of last year, the county will not see another public meeting until 2017, and even after the study concludes in 2018 the design and right-of-way acquisition periods have yet to be funded.
Vernon Compton, Santa Rosa Historical Society president, said being on the watch list is significant. “(Being on the watch list) just indicates that the Milton Historic District is a significant resource in the state of Florida … I think it’s a very strong statement, of course; one the Santa Rosa Historical Society supports because we believe FDOT should really consider all alternatives to minimize impacts to Milton and surrounding area.”
As to moving from the endangered list to the watch list, Compton said it doesn’t necessarily have to do with the Milton historic district being closer to in the clear.
“There are lots of endangered properties in districts throughout the state, in national and state level. It’s a fairly competitive process, with so many resources that are endangered. There are others even in our local area right now that have been getting a lot of attention like the John Sundy house in Pensacola,” a house built in 1901 and threatened with demolition for redevelopment.
As reported in September of last year, the county will not see another public meeting until 2017, and even after the study concludes in 2018 the design and right-of-way acquisition periods have yet to be funded.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton historic district on Florida Historic Trust watch list