Milton Public Safety Officials Find A New Home In Facility

MILTON, GA — A year after the city broke ground on a site to provide city police and municipal court officials with their own space, the two entities recently moved into the new facility and will be joined by city firefighters later this month.

Police and municipal court officials moved into Milton’s new public safety complex in late August, along with the Milton Fire-Rescue Department’s administrators. Firefighters will begin working out of the new Station 44, which is adjoined to the administrative offices, in mid-September, city officials recently announced.

Despite challenges presented by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the facility was completed on-time and on-budget, officials said. Funding for the project was approved by voters after the space was made a priority by city officials.

The total cost of the project was $15 million with $13 million being devoted to construction costs and an additional $2 million going toward furniture and equipment, city spokesman Greg Botelho said. The space has also been outfitted with several artistic projects from local artists and artisans, Botelho said.

Before moving in, the Milton municipal court and police department had worked out of rented office suites off of Deerfield Parkway. That space wasn't designed explicitly for law enforcement and, thus, came with definite limitations, city officials said. The new space includes an evidence room, showers and other features that will make the space more conducive to its new tenants.

"This is a very exciting day for every one of our officers, detectives and civilian staff. It is also a great day for the entire city of Milton," Police Chief Rich Austin said in a news release. "This facility truly reflects the professional police services that we strive to provide our citizens each and every day, and we so look forward to sharing this space with our community in the years to come."

The fire department's new building sits across the parking lot. Station 44 includes a large kitchen and living room, personal bunk rooms, exercise room and bay. Fire Chief Edgar and several other high-level staffers have already moved in and will soon be joined by firefighters.

"This Public Safety Complex will be used by our firefighters and officers, but it really belongs to the people of Milton," Edgar said in the news release. "We cannot thank them enough for their generosity and support."