Operation Reawaken: Warner Robins celebrates monumental step toward downtown development

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The city of Warner Robins has made strides in establishing a downtown district on Commercial Circle, and on Wednesday, they began knocking down unused property, paving the way for new beginnings.

On Dec. 20, the city hosted an event called “Operation Reawaken.” At the event, city employees and the community heard perspectives from city leadership before public works demolished a dilapidated building in the northeast quadrant of Commercial Circle. Mayor LaRhonda Patrick and members of council helped, taking a sledgehammer to the building’s fence.

First to speak was Mayor Patrick, saying Warner Robins is just getting started, with the city owning 60% of the buildings in the proposed downtown area and wanting to purchase more.

“Operation Reawaken starts today, as we demolish the very first building right here at Commercial Circle. There’ll be many more buildings to be demolished in the upcoming months,” Patrick said.

Calling the event a significant milestone, Patrick said Wednesday represented an idea talked about since she was a child and one of her campaign promises.

“I remember being a child here, in middle school and high school, and I’d hear about one day someone was going to redo downtown. I went through high school, college, through everything, came back to Warner Robins and everything looks pretty much the same. We never saw it come to fruition,” Patrick said. “So when I decided I wanted to run for this seat, that is one of the things that I ran on, and I stayed committed to that. I have a wonderful council who sits with me and works beside me every single day, and we are committed to making this a reality for our city.”

Community and Economic Development Director Kate Hogan spoke on the city’s money management. She thanked the public works department, saying this was a step forward to a brighter future in the downtown area.

“We’re super excited for the first demolition in the Commericial Circle area. We have worked with businesses and landowners alike in order to do this in a sustainable way. We have used SPLOST dollars in 2012 and 2018; we continue to be fiscally responsible for every taxpayer dollar going into this project,” Hogan said.

Councilman Kevin Lashley and Councilman Larry Curtis also spoke, thanking the mayor, council, city employees, property owners and citizens for their support.

Finally, Mayor Patrick acknowledged the Public Works, Stormwater, and Building Maintenance departments, as well as police and fire.

Describing plans for businesses, apartments and condos in a walkable space, Patrick said the area has a bright future.

“So many didn’t think it could happen. Some still think it won’t. But I’m here as a living testimony to tell you that yes, in fact, it will. The question is how soon? The sooner we get started, the sooner we’re going to do a groundbreaking and the sooner we’re going to do a ribbon cutting. Because the days of Warner Robins not having a downtown, the days of having to go to surrounding cities to have that downtown feel. They’re about to be numbered,” Patrick said.

Patrick said the city plans to demolish larger buildings in the next two months after Wednesday’s event. She also added the city is working with remaining property owners to include them in the city’s plans for development and to make the process seamless for businesses forced out of the district due to landlords selling their properties.

Patrick said the city expects to begin groundbreaking in 2025. If re-elected, she hopes to see the downtown project reach completion by the end of her second term.

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