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Board directs staff to negotiate with Bayou District on Caroline Street courthouse RFP
Summary
After ranking received proposals for the Caroline Street courthouse RFP (26‑001), staff said Bayou District was top ranked by commissioners; the board directed staff to begin negotiations while flagging Highway 90 right‑of‑way impacts and FDOT coordination. The item will be placed on Thursday's consent agenda for formal action.
Staff reported that four proposals were received for RFP 26‑001 for a downtown Milton courthouse redevelopment and that commissioners' procurement rankings placed Bayou District first. County staff recommended directing the county to enter negotiations with Bayou District and to return proposed terms to the board.
"Based on the rankings from the procurement submissions, the Bayou District received all 5 of your first place votes," a county staff member said, and commissioners discussed next steps including negotiation strategy and right‑of‑way constraints.
Staff and the chair noted the current Highway 90 right‑of‑way at the property is 50 feet and that engineering firm follow‑up may show up to 60 additional feet could be needed for a four‑lane alignment. The board instructed staff to work with FDOT and to make any required right‑of‑way accommodations part of negotiations so future widening would not be hindered.
Local resident Jerry Cooey told commissioners he supported the selection and praised the project vision for preserving the historic courthouse intersection, while commissioners asked staff to ensure negotiation language addresses future FDOT buyouts, deed language and phased land‑acquisition payments tied to development build‑out.
The board agreed to direct staff to begin negotiations and to place the item on Thursday's consent agenda; no final contract or deed action was taken at the Jan. 20 meeting.
