WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Warner Robins is clawing forward in its efforts to create a downtown space.
Mayor LaRhonda Patrick envisions Commercial Circle filled with four or five-story buildings, with retail, living and entertainment options. Plus lots of green space and walking trails
City leaders took turns knocking down the structure on Watson Boulevard. Crews knocked down the building that was once a small business.
Patrick says it sat vacant for years and now the land can get new life
"I'm very happy to see some redevelopment for this," Council Wilcox said.
As the walls start to fall on buildings, Wilcox is reaching some goals.
"I came here in 1969, at that time there was not that much development in the area," he said.
He says for years none came, so he joined the downtown development authority to make change.
"The appearance here does not give you the image of a downtown," Wilcox said.
As more claws crush up buildings, he hopes they'll set a new standard in the city.
"It is the international city but there should be an image created here that everyone will be familiar with," Wilcox said.
For him, that's a place for families to stay close to home for fun.
"It would be great to be able to come downtown so to speak, and be able to sit around talk, have drinks," he said.
He says it will be a great way to welcome more people to Warner Robins.
"Get an opportunity to bring other people in the area," he said. "Whether they're coming from in the county, coming into the city, or city individuals."
Mayor LaRhonda Patrick says they want to bring the big city feel with lots of tall buildings for working and living.
"Commercial retail at the bottom. A lot of mom-and-pop shops. A lot of international cuisines," she said.
Patrick says they've purchased about 60% of their target area and should have more soon.
"Our tenant's leases, when their leases are up we'll move forward with our plans," Patrick says.
She says they've started speaking with businesses that are renting from a property owner and will lose it due to the owner selling to the city.
Helping them relocate, finding locations for them or even when we start building up quadrant by quadrant, finding spaces for them to come back to or relocate from one side to the other when we start working on the other side," Patrick said.
Wilcox is ready to see the progress.
"I think we're on the right track now to making a difference in the city of Warner Robins," he said.
Patrick says the next demolition will be on the side near McCall's sandwich shop.
Mayor Patrick says she hopes to break ground for more development in 2025, and she added she hopes to win reelection to be able to enjoy the downtown space as mayor by 2030.