Warner Robins will try again to create a traditional looking downtown.
This time, they're bringing their Downtown Development Authority back to life after several years.
The City tried this Downtown Development Authority before, but then shut it down.
Some local businesses say they're still hopeful this time around, because they say their part of town could use the help.
At CC's Seafood on Commercial Circle, manager Heidy Gutierrez says she's seen businesses come and go during the restaurant's six years.
She explained how she felt their part of town was doing.
“I think it could use some help from the city,” Gutierrez said outside the restaurant. “On this side of town people really don't have nowhere to like shop and go and purchase things, they always have to go down to Centerville or 96,” She continued.
At John's Mexican Restaurant, just across from Robins Air Force Base.
Owner John Mitchell says he's hoping the city's historic entrance could get a face lift.
“Just any little thing would be great, flag poles, this is the first thing many many people see when they come here,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said he wasn’t frustrated, just hopeful it would eventually get a better look.
“It's kind of hard to know that this is the avenue that dignitaries and what not take, and visitors to the state, the city, from all over the world come down through here to the Base,” Mitchell said referencing their part of Armed Forces Boulevard and Highway 247.
His business is in what Warner Robins leaders want to turn into a traditional downtown.
Highway 247 from Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard to Watson Boulevard, and Watson from the Base to Commercial Circle.
Councilman Clifford Holmes says the idea has been the talk of the town for years and he knows the public might be frustrated.
“Nothing has developed from that, yes I certainly understand the citizens' concern,” Holmes said, noting developing a downtown had been a topic of discussion his first year on Council a decade ago.
It's why he's a member, and supports, the City's fresh attempt at a Downtown Development Authority.
The Authority stopped meeting several years ago, but now it's back with what Holmes calls a new outlook and newly selected board.
“We decided to revitalize it, especially because of the TAD district, we need to have that because it falls under the jurisdiction of developing quote unquote downtown,” Holmes said.
The 2-year-old special Tax Allocation District covers the same area they’re looking to turn into a downtown and keeps tax dollars from increased property values within the district for improvement projects.
Over the phone, Councilman Tim Thomas told WMAZ the original Downtown Development Authority was more focused on event planning and other things, like the Independence Day Concert. He agreed with Councilman Holmes the new Board would focus exclusively on development and the TAD.
Councilman Holmes said a new walkable downtown area would give Warner Robins a better nightlife and more weekend activity.
So far, the Authority has met once, but has plans to meet monthly.