WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The area on Armed Forces Boulevard hasn’t seen much growth in years, but Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms hopes Gateway Pointe changes that.
"This is a great opportunity for us to kind of redevelop this part of town," said Toms.
Fenika Miller, the city’s Development Authority Vice Chair, agrees.
"It has experienced chronic under investment, and so this will be the catalyst," said Miller.
The 90-unit affordable housing complex is the first of its kind in the city and in the area near Robins Air Force Base.
She said there is a huge need for affordable housing in Warner Robins, but she said Gateway Pointe is the first step to change that.
"Currently our waiting lists are one year, two years, or longer for families. We have a lot of families that are living in hotels, extended stay hotels and that can be very expensive."
25 of the units are already occupied.
The one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments sit right across the street from VECTR, the Georgia Veterans Education Career Training Resource Center.
VECTR’s Colonel Patricia Ross said the six free apartments being held for veterans coming to classes is huge.
"15 weeks is a long time to relocate to Warner Robins, especially if you don’t have an income and you’re unemployed, so this really is a game-changer."
Phase II of this multi-phase plan will include an almost identical 90-unit housing complex across the street and a $2 million investment from the city to renovate Memorial Park, which is also right down the road.
"I just think the overall climate here is changing and so I’m excited about that," said Mayor Toms.
The apartments also have a gym, clubhouse, business center, and a health center in partnership with Houston Healthcare.
This project was three years in the making and Mayor Toms said the city invested $2 million in sidewalks, sewers and more to get the property ready for development.
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