Operation Reawaken: City demolishes another building as part of downtown initative

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — At an event on Thursday, the City of Warner Robins made another crucial step toward their vision of downtown development. On Feb. 29, the city hosted a demolition on Commercial Circle, where they knocked down a building on the southeast quadrant.

The building hosted many storefronts over the decades, including supermarkets, shoe stores, jewelry stores, and a credit union, and most recently, was owned by former councilwoman Carolyn Robbins, according to Mayor LaRhonda Patrick.

“The city acquired these properties in December of 2022 and hopes that this demolition will be a step towards new homes for businesses, and a reawakened downtown Warner Robins.”

The city calls the downtown redevelopment plan “Operation Reawaken,” a vision brought about by collaboration in the community.

“It’s because we are reawakening what used to be the spirit and the heart of our city, which was the downtown called Commercial Circle,” Patrick said. “So with the gentlemen who are approaching this stage right now, we came in with a joint vision to redevelop our downtown districts and to finally give the city of Warner Robins a downtown district once again.”

Patrick was joined on stage by Councilmen Clifford Holmes, Charlie Bibb, Larry Curtis and Keith Lauritsen.

Closing her speech, Patrick said it’s time to bring the downtown experience locally.

“We have so much great potential in our city. We are the International City, and we are the largest city in middle Georgia. Typically, we go other places to enjoy a downtown experience, but with the bones we have right here in commercial circle, council and I figure now is the time to actually put our money where our mouth is and invest in the future of our city by developing a downtown for all to enjoy,” Patrick said.

Councilman Holmes spoke first, saying there was talk of developing downtown when he joined the council, but Mayor Patrick laid the groundwork for making it a reality.

“The mayor came in with her statement, her mission. She’s convinced the council — which didn’t need a whole lot of convincing — that it’s something needs to be dealt with. We just needed a leader that was willing to step forward and do those things. She has done that. She has my total support,” Holmes said.

Bibb, Curtis and Lauritsen also spoke briefly.

“I’m excited to tear down some concrete. Let’s do it!” Bibb said.

“I’m happy to stand up here with my partners in progress. Thank you all for everything you’re doing,” Curtis said.

“I was very skeptical that we could ever make this happen until this mayor came in and the economic development department. Y’all have really done a great job of making this a possibility and now it’s even more than a possibility. What we’re about to embark on is truly exciting,” Lauritsen said. “There are skeptics out there, but we’re not going to dwell on that today. We’re going to show them exactly what we can do and make this a successful project so that everybody benefits from it.”

After acknowledging city employees, Mayor Patrick led the crowd in chanting, “knock it down,” signaling the start of the demolition.

Reflecting with The Journal after the event, Patrick said Operation Reawaken is paving the way for new development. She added she was thrilled to be at the event and excited to deliver on a campaign promise after the city demolished its first building in December 2023.

“I’ve been waiting and hoping for this day. Only being two years and two months into my term, I have been about fulfilling our promises. I campaigned on this. I said that we were going to do it, and two years and two months later, we’re taking down yet another building, this time, one that’s built on a foundation and four storefronts,” Patrick said.

Patrick said the city’s overall vision for downtown is a walkable and bikeable space, with multiple-story buildings housing office spaces, restaurants, storefronts and residential areas. She said this fits perfectly into the city’s overall mission of being a great place to work, live and play.

“This is going to be the happening spot,” Patrick said. “The first step is getting rid of the old buildings so that we can make way for the new.”

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