Milton officials focus on commercial corridors ► PAGE 4
J u n e 2 0 , 2 0 2 4 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 1 9 , N o . 2 5
State halts Ga. 9 widening amid fraud investigation By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Construction cones sit on Milton’s section of Ga. 9 extending from Windward Parkway to the Forsyth County line. GDOT announced the project has been halted after an internal investigation revealed fraudulent right-of-way acquisition from one official who has since been fired.
MILTON, Ga. — Work to widen Ga. 9 through Milton is at a standstill until the Georgia Department of Transportation sorts through a snag in its right-of-way and easement process. GDOT notified the city June 11 that it has become aware of fraudulent activity associated in the acquisitions. Nearly 23,000 vehicles use the roadway daily, and the city has braced residents for months of construction which had already been poised to commence with orange cones and heavy equipment along the thoroughfare. Milton officials said their first
priority is to strongly urge GDOT to promptly take action to clean up properties damaged and affected by construction. Because the widening is a state project, city officials have little control over its administration and timeline. “We’re already reaching out to state leaders for answers and expect productive conversations to ensure that Milton citizens and businesses are heard, and their best interests are served,” Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison said. “Highway 9 is vital to our city’s present and future, and it’s important that this project is done right.” Milton was alerted to the
See FRAUD, Page 13
Milton seeks public input on Deerfield athletic complex By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — Milton residents with an interest in plans for the potential athletic complex at 300 Deerfield Parkway are invited to give input again. People will have a chance to offer their thoughts on what should, or should not, be a part of the facility at the June 24 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting at Milton City
Hall. After acquisition of a property on Hopewell Road fell through last winter, park advocates have been searching for an answer to the demand for youth sports facilities, like diamonds and rectangles for baseball and lacrosse. On April 22, the city contracted with Crescent Communities to purchase the 21.4-acre property for $8 million as space for a potential athletic complex.
A 90-day due diligence period gives citizens, city staff and councilmembers time to ensure the property is a fit for the city’s needs. After a May 16 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, outside experts were asked to incorporate feedback and come back with updated sketches. Board members, residents and staff discussed some of the park features at the May 16 meeting, including access to Ga. 9, parking
spaces, pickleball and tennis courts, the number of rectangles versus diamonds and pedestrian safety. Parks and Recreation Director Tom McKlveen said some changes include the addition of batting cages and more parking spaces. He said the inclusion of pickleball is supported, but not necessarily 16 courts. McKlveen said the discovery of a spring and wetland area in
See COMMENT, Page 13
Caroline Nalisnick C: 404.513.9226 | Caroline@HOMEgeorgia.com
Sam DiVito C: 404.803.5999 | Sam@HOMEgeorgia.com
Allison Kloster C: 404.784.5287 | Allison@HOMEgeorgia.com