The Milton City Council voted 6-1 on Oct. 9 to authorize staff to prepare and submit a conditional bid for three Santa Rosa County parcels south of Oak Street and adjacent to downtown festival grounds, but council members agreed the city should not bid on the courthouse building itself.

City Manager Spears recommended the council "simply wait" for private-sector interest in the courthouse and steer the city's energy toward securing the three smaller parcels used for parking and events, saying demolition or renovation of the courthouse would carry large remediation costs and staff burdens. "My recommendation to you tonight is to simply wait," City Manager Spears said.

Why it matters: the three parcels are contiguous with land the city now uses for festivals and downtown activities; securing them would preserve event space and parking in Milton’s downtown and fit the city’s Riverfront Master Plan. Council members and several residents said losing those parcels could damage downtown activity and the city’s long-term plans.

Most important facts: the county issued an RFP on Oct. 1 (RFP 2061) for the courthouse parcel and three adjacent county-owned parcels. Deadlines in the RFP: questions due Oct. 22; sealed proposals due 10 a.m. Oct. 29. City staff presented property details: the four-parcel block totals about 3.6 acres; the courthouse parcel is about 1.9 acres. County property-appraiser values presented by staff show total land value of roughly $681,950 and total property value including improvements of about $1,632,329; the combined value of the three smaller parcels is $273,597.

Staff estimates put demolition of the courthouse at roughly $1.7 million to $3.3 million; renovation was estimated at approximately $16.7 million to $20.8 million, with asbestos, lead paint and mold remediation required in either scenario. The RFP allows proposals that demolish or renovate the building and calls for demolition or renovation to begin within 12 months of purchase and for substantial completion within 36 months.

Council action and conditions: Councilman Ed Leake moved — and Councilman Farrow seconded — a motion directing staff to prepare a conditional bid for the three county parcels shaded on the map between Oak Street and Pine Street, with these elements: (1) the bid price would not exceed 10% above the appraised value for the three parcels combined; (2) the response should include consideration of Oak Street repaving or reconstruction as part of negotiating total project costs; (3) Leake was designated as the council’s representative to work with staff on the proposal; and (4) staff was authorized to submit the bid by the Oct. 29 deadline. The motion passed 6-1; Councilman Cusack cast the sole no vote. The council recorded the yes votes as Councilman Powell, Councilwoman Farrow, Councilman Hawthorne, Councilman Fretwell, Councilman Powers and Councilman Leake.

Funding and next steps: staff told the council that the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has earmarked funds this fiscal year for property acquisition and that the city could use CRA funds to cover the purchase; if CRA funds were insufficient, staff said they would recommend a loan from the city to the CRA with repayment over time. Council members also agreed the submitted proposal would need to be tied to an appraisal and other statutory requirements; staff said the appraisal would be required before closing and that bids must generally be within statutory limits of appraised value.

Public comment and context: multiple Milton residents and downtown stakeholders urged the council to protect the festival and event area and to explore reuse of the courthouse. John Ellis, chairman of the Historic Preservation Board, said the RFP did not include interior photos or an environmental assessment and that the county’s materials limited bidders’ ability to evaluate the courthouse. Several residents urged the council to seek private investment for the courthouse rather than the city assuming the building’s costs.

Council members emphasized different risks: several described the courthouse as a maintenance and environmental-remediation risk they did not want the city to inherit; others urged a careful, evidence-based review if the city were later to consider the courthouse’s condition. Staff said the county had signaled it would seek bids to demolish the property if no proposals were received and that the county could accept conditional or irregular responses at its discretion.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the motion to submit a conditional bid for the three parcels (6-1). Yes: Councilman Powell; Councilwoman Farrow; Councilman Hawthorne; Councilman Fretwell; Councilman Powers; Councilman Ed Leake. No: Councilman Cusack.

What’s next: staff will prepare the conditional bid and work with Councilman Leake on the proposal; the sealed proposals are due at 10 a.m. Oct. 29 per the county RFP. If no acceptable private proposals are received, the county indicated it may seek demolition bids for the courthouse and may open separate discussions about the three smaller parcels.