Warner Robins could have answer to northside redevelopment (Atlanta, Macon: apartments, low crime)

[Airforceguy]

Warner Robins could have answer to northside redevelopment
Warner Robins could have answer to north side redevelopment | Politics | Macon.com

[Newsboy]

I've always wondered why that "City Circle" area was in such deplorable shape. It's the historic "heart" of Warner Robins so to speak and has tons of potential.

That's one reason I've never been a huge fan of Warner Robins. People who live there love the place for some reason I know, but it has NOT followed smart growth patterns or indeed, any plan at all. It's an ugly haphazard sprawling mess. Block after block of ugliness.

Maybe this will finally make improvements to that part of town, but here's my question: if it's really worth saving, why hasn't private enterprise or simply civic pride in Warner Robins risen up to so by now? Every city and small town in this state is way ahead of the curve on this.

Maybe because it has nothing to do with high school football nobody in WR really gives a damn?

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

I've always wondered why that "City Circle" area was in such deplorable shape. It's the historic "heart" of Warner Robins so to speak and has tons of potential.

That's one reason I've never been a huge fan of Warner Robins. People who live there love the place for some reason I know, but it has NOT followed smart growth patterns or indeed, any plan at all. It's an ugly haphazard sprawling mess. Block after block of ugliness.

Maybe this will finally make improvements to that part of town, but here's my question: if it's really worth saving, why hasn't private enterprise or simply civic pride in Warner Robins risen up to so by now? Every city and small town in this state is way ahead of the curve on this.

Maybe because it has nothing to do with high school football nobody in WR really gives a damn?

I grew up in Warner Robins.I can tell you its definitely unique being that the city is barley 60 years old.My family moved to Atlanta when I was a senior in high school.I never wanted to leave.I have very fond memories there.Its a very civic minded place.The entrepreneurial spirit is very much alive.My parents relocated back there about 5 years ago.They love it as well.I am older and single and can tell you I have NO desire to live there because it has no character and no sense of history or place.
I always wished they would build a proper "downtown".
It has great neighborhoods and the quality in which houses are built is better overall than even in Atlanta.Also the quality of life for its residence is good.Fairly low crime rate and decent schools.
However,there is NOTHING to do.Hardly any attractions or Museums (other than the Museum of Aviation).
Its a city that grew around the base.Was never meant to be a real city.

[Newsboy]

When I was a student at UGA years ago, it was a running joke on campus how firecely proud all the Warner Robins kids were of their hometown. It was totally bizarre. Most kids can't wait to go off to college and escape their hometowns. The WR kids would all go home every weekend the Dawgs weren't playing at home. Of course, this was back with Demon football was still king (before Northside's rise). But still ... I never got it, and to this day when I drive through WR I still don't get it. It's no better than any Metro Atlanta suburb. And it's ugly IMO. Oh well ... to each his own!

[Coward Robert Ford]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

I've always wondered why that "City Circle" area was in such deplorable shape. It's the historic "heart" of Warner Robins so to speak and has tons of potential.

That's one reason I've never been a huge fan of Warner Robins. People who live there love the place for some reason I know, but it has NOT followed smart growth patterns or indeed, any plan at all. It's an ugly haphazard sprawling mess. Block after block of ugliness.

Maybe this will finally make improvements to that part of town, but here's my question: if it's really worth saving, why hasn't private enterprise or simply civic pride in Warner Robins risen up to so by now? Every city and small town in this state is way ahead of the curve on this.

Maybe because it has nothing to do with high school football nobody in WR really gives a damn?

why do adults like high school football unless their kid is on the team. most hs teams are horrible and it is a slog to watch.

[TheJagMan]

It'll never work unless you build dorms for the college or non-ghetto apartments nearby. The reason why most restaurants over by the Galleria mall thrive is the close proximity of apartments.

[midgeorgiaman]

The northside is the old WR and a vast majority of WR folks are of the surburban soccer mom demographic who want the newest house in the newest area of town with the newest schools etc. They just keep moving south. First to Bonaire and now to Kathleen...

I know that is a great generalization, but for WR it is mostly true. There are plenty of available homes in nice neighborhoods built in the 70s and 80s in WR that a lot of people wont even look at because they are "old". There is so much land and current government leans so much toward growth vs redevelopment that the trend will not end anytime soon.

Kudos for them trying to do something with commercial circle but there are so few urbanists in WR that I find it difficult to think this will work. In the time it takes to do this 5 new neighborhoods and 10 new strip malls will be developed along 96 and the population move south will continue.

[Samoyed3]

Well, I think a lot of people more interested in just living the good life, eat, drink, be merry, and doing stuff they enjoy like play golf or tennis, and not all that concerned about gentrification of the area they live in. That might make you happy and they probably don't have a problem with it but they aren't ever going to go on a crusade for it.

[convextech]

I don't know where you were driving through WR, but only the north and east side are really ugly. The closer you get to I-75 the nicer it is.

[geog-fanatic]

What is actually considered north and south Warner Robins these days? When I was a kid, Watson Blvd was the dividing line between the north and south. Has it now shifted down to Russell Pkwy or further?