WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The City of Warner Robins approved $500,000 at the city's Monday night city council meeting to be used towards their downtown development in Commercial Circle.
Leaders continue to push forward with plans for their "live, work, play" community.
"I see what you're doing for the downtown development. I really, really appreciate what you're doing," one community member shared at Monday night's meeting.
At many Warner Robins council meetings in 2024, the council has signed off on new Commercial Circle developments, and people in town are taking notice.
"I'm really excited to see what Warner Robins turns out to be in five to ten years," the man went on to share.
With rubble still fresh from a February demolition, the council voted Monday to purchase three new buildings in the circle. One property is on Manor Court, and the other two are on North Davis Drive.
"We have gotten areas that butt up to the Commercial Circle area that's not actually part of the official circle, so I try not to count those acreage in, but I think were up to 70% that we own now and counting," Mayor LaRhonda Patrick shared.
This year alone, the city has spent almost $1 million on downtown development. They purchased land for $500,000 Monday, land for $420,000 in February and spent about $62,000 in January for their February demolition.
Patrick says it's all within their $165 million 2024 budget.
"Majority of things that we've already acquired has come from funds that were put aside from previous years funds," Patrick shared.
She says they have SPLOST 2018 funds still left over that they plan to keep using.
Council also officially passed their design guidelines that will impact the entire Commercial Circle as well as streets headed towards Martin Luther King JR Boulevard and Duke Avenue.
"We want to plan for the entire area when it comes to the future development of our city, so that the area looks aesthetically pleasing," Patrick shared.
The guidelines set standards for public art and open space for the community to enjoy. The design guidelines would apply only to new developers who wish to make significant renovations.
Mayor Patrick says they have plans lined up for future demolition. You can expect the hammer to come down on the property on the Watson Boulevard and North Commercial Circle side next.