Milton To Break Ground on Hopewell House Renovations

Staff Report

The city of Milton will hold its first official groundbreaking ceremony on a long awaited project.

The city will break ground at noon Tuesday, July 15 to celebrate the planned renovations of the Hopewell House, a Civil War-era home planned as a senior and event center.

The groundbreaking will be held at 15690 Hopewell Road in Milton.

Milton's City Council will be joined by staff from Senior Services North Fulton (SSNF), which will utilize the Hopewell House for programming and Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann, who was instrumental in securing $295,000 annually from Fulton County for Senior Services programming. 

"We are proud that Fulton County was part of the collaborative effort in partnership with the City of Milton and Senior Services North Fulton to establish a much-needed senior center to serve the needs of our growing senior population in North Fulton," said Hausmann. It shows that positive outcomes are possible when we work toward a mutual goal for our citizens."

The 2.5 acre site, which contains the nearly 4,000-square-foot, two-story home, dates back to at least the mid-1800s according to local historians. Newnan-based Headley Construction will handle all renovations to the home and site at a cost not to exceed $632,000. 

"We couldn't be happier that this project is moving forward," said Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood. "From the beginning, it was meant to be multi-functional for the entire community. We get a beautiful, renovated senior center, we get to save what we believe is the oldest structure in Milton, and the city gains a unique, attractive event center."

According to Community Development Director Kathleen Field, SSNF will occupy the home during normal business hours thanks to a 2012 agreement. When not in use by seniors, Milton will utilize the space for city-sponsored events and pursue facility rentals for special occasions. 

Milton purchased the Hopewell House from foreclosure in 2011 for $250,000 in order to save the site, which is believed to be one of the oldest in North Fulton. 

For more information on this groundbreaking ceremony, contact Executive Aide to City Manager, Mayor and City Council Christine Doss at 678-242-2492 orchristine.doss@cityofmiltonga.us.