MILTON — Santa Rosa County commissioners have narrowed their search for a location for a new judicial center.
Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday morning to direct their staff to assemble a list of potential sites within a two-mile radius of the intersection of U.S. Highway 90 and Avalon Boulevard. Properties must be at least 11 acres to be considered.
“I think the two-mile radius from the intersection of 90 and Avalon Boulevard will be very beneficial not only for today but for future growth,” Commissioner Bob Cole said after the meeting. “Folks will be able to get to it easily from the south end of the county and also from the Pace area.
“I think it’s a good area also for future development around the site,” Cole added. “We’ve seen growth in the county over the last few years and I think in the next couple of decades we’ll see growth in Santa Rosa County, and we need to plan for that.”
Cole said the county has already received leads on several sites in the area, and expects more after the county issues an official solicitation that gives details of what it is looking for.
He hopes the board will select a site within the next 90 days.
“We need to continue to move forward,” Cole said.
As commissioners work to find a site for the judicial center, architectural firm HOK Inc. will continue to work on the needs and cost assessments for the project.
Contact Daily News Business Editor Dusty Ricketts at 850-315-4448 or dricketts@nwfdailynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @DustyRnwfdn.