Santa Rosa County owns several unoccupied buildings in historic downtown Milton, frustrating some community members, who feel commissioners are being neglectful in their stewardship, enabling mold growth and negatively impacting downtown business, which has struggled since the former county courthouse was vacated nearly three years ago.
“Elected officials and government employees have a duty to act as responsible stewards of our community’s public assets and historic resources. Unfortunately, our local governments have not always met this responsibility, even as other communities successfully protect and celebrate their heritage,” said Cassandra Sharp, who owns property adjacent to the old courthouse and has preserved and saved multiple buildings in the area. “It’s disappointing to see this gap, but ultimately, our history and heritage belong to all of us. It’s up to citizens to stand up and safeguard the history, historic resources and identity to ensure they are preserved.”
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The historic Fisher & Hamilton Building, a roughly 8,306-square-foot, three-story building overlooking Blackwater River, is owned by Santa Rosa County. It was recently vacated by the First Judicial Circuit’s Public Defender’s Office, which moved to a nearby building owned by a retired attorney.
A source shared photos of two doors sealed off inside the Fisher & Hamilton, alleging access to those rooms on the first floor had been closed around two years ago due to mold by using painter’s tape. The basement floor was reported to be locked and “musty.” Employees reportedly worked out of other offices on the first floor as well as some office space on the top floor.
Next door to the Fisher & Hamilton Building is the former Santa Rosa County Courthouse, which is also owned by the county. It was vacated nearly three years ago when a newly constructed courthouse opened on Avalon Boulevard. A county employee who has been inside the building since that time says “white mold” was observed growing inside.
Santa Rosa County’s initial attempt to sell the former courthouse, which sits on 1.9 acres and is roughly 36,000-square-feet, resulted in no bids (two were withdrawn) by the Oct. 29, 2025 deadline, so the Request for Proposal was extended to Dec. 5. If a buyer decides to demolish the building, the RFP requires that process start within 12 months and be completed within 36 months.
Included in that RFP were three vacant parcels behind the structure, totaling around 1.65 acres. The City of Milton has expressed interest in purchasing the adjacent land parcels, which it currently utilizes for parking and event space; however, the Council was uninterested in buying the courthouse parcel.
OTHER COUNTY-OWNED PROPERTIES IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN MILTON
The county’s former probation office, located at 6816 Caroline Street in Milton, is a roughly 3,661-square-foot building on ~0.307 acres. The probation office moved and is currently leasing office space behind Church’s Chicken in Milton; however, commissioners on Monday will discuss relocating it again, due to the condition of the rented space. The board is eyeing a move to 6204 Hwy. 90 (across from Big Lots). The Board of County Commissioners on Monday will discuss a five-year lease totaling over $250,000 with two possible extensions.
Nearby property owner Howard Steele said he’s excited to hear the City might be interested in the former probation office building. He also expressed concern that the county’s lack of properly maintaining other historic structures could end with demolition – like what happened with the former Whittle Building.
The county still owns the 0.264-acre parcel of land, located at 6828 Caroline Street, which used to house the Whittle Building, (pictured above).
“That was an absolute waste of an opportunity for the downtown area,” Steele said, pointing out how the 5,000-square-foot buildings location on Hwy. 90, suggesting the county used “excuses” to raze it.
Sharp, who bought and restored two buildings, including the old post office, near the former Whittle Building agrees. “It could’ve been something useful over the past 20 years and been on the tax rolls,” she said.
Steele also questions why the county doesn’t sell off its other properties downtown, noting that the Fisher & Hamilton Building is waterfront overlooking Riverwalk Park. “We don’t need government sitting on that prime real estate,” he said, noting it could be useful in restoring business activity to the downtown area.
We asked District 2 Commissioner Kerry Smith, whose term representing the Milton area expires next November, for a comment about the county-owned properties. “I find it disturbing that you would reach out to me at 6:39 AM the very morning that you released the story, asking me if I have a response,” he said.
Although Smith hasn’t yet pre-filed for re-election, he already faces three challengers: Jeff Ates, Brian Hosterman and Jeff Snow, a former Milton City Councilman.
“The county owes it to the taxpayers of Santa Rosa County to safeguard their money in the best way possible. The county has the responsibility to maintain all properties that they own,” said Hosterman. “If we cannot do that, we should sell the properties which will eliminate the county from having to pay for upkeep, add funds to the county coffers, and add said properties back to the tax rolls.”
Like Smith, Snow, is a realtor. As a former Milton City Councilman, he says it doesn’t make sense for the county to own waterfront property, and he believes certain properties, like the Fisher & Hamilton Building, should be put back on the market. “I definitely believe something great could happen with the courthouse – from a purchase to a public/private venture. If leadership will have vision, they could create something very special in downtown Milton.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: At this time it’s unknown if mold remediation inside the building(s) has been pursued prior to the date of publication of this story
