Union City, Georgia, is making a big push to clean up its neighborhoods, starting with a program called Change Starts Here.
Imagine living in a neighborhood where empty, rundown houses are replaced with new, welcoming spaces.
Many Union City residents have been waiting for this shift, and Mayor Vince Williams is leading this exciting project.
With Change Starts Here, Union City is making the city safer, more attractive, and a better place to live and work.
Through this effort, the mayor and his team hope to raise property values, cut down on crime, and invite more business opportunities.
Let’s explore how this program works, what’s happening now, and what it means for everyone in Union City.
- Union City’s program focuses on clearing rundown properties to make neighborhoods safer and improve property values.
- The program encourages residents and businesses to get involved, aiming for a cleaner and stronger community.
- By addressing its blighted properties, the city sets an example, inspiring confidence in the future of Union City.
Starting with Demolition
Union City’s Change Starts Here program officially began when a demolition crew tore down an old, vacant house on Roosevelt Highway.
Residents cheered as they watched the building come down, knowing it symbolized a fresh start.
Rundown properties like this have made neighborhoods feel neglected and unsafe for years.
And this new program is about turning that around and bringing life back to these areas.
Mayor Williams shared his vision for the program: “This is our number one goal—to reclaim and transform this area.”
The city can create inviting and safe spaces by clearing out old, blighted properties.
When neighborhoods are free from rundown buildings, they become more welcoming to families and businesses, and property values can rise.
Longtime resident Marilyn McCain, who has called Union City home for over 40 years, was there to see the demolition.
She was happy about the program, saying, “I am excited that our city is moving forward with getting rid of the blight that has held us back.”
For Marilyn and many others, seeing the city take action is a sign of positive change.
City and Community Working Together
The Change Starts Here program is a call for everyone to get involved.
Mayor Williams and his team understand that real change happens when the community works together.
They’re encouraging residents and businesses to play a part in cleaning up and maintaining their properties.
The mayor explained how rundown properties can impact everyone.
“When you think about your property value or your property values, blight can bring down your neighbor’s property because your neighbor is not taking care of their property,” he said.
Through the program, the city aims to work closely with property owners to keep areas clean and safe, making a difference everyone can feel.
Marilyn McCain shares this hope, saying that when people feel proud and safe in their neighborhoods, they are more likely to take care of their surroundings.
The city wants this program to be a fresh start for Union City, where people take pride in their neighborhoods, work together, and see positive changes unfold.
City Takes the Lead, Setting an Example for Everyone
One of the biggest moves in the Change Starts Here program is the city’s choice to first address its blighted properties.
By doing this, Union City is showing that it’s committed to leading by example.
The house demolished on Roosevelt Highway was actually city-owned, proving that they’re serious about this cleanup.
When the city cleans up its properties, it sends a clear message: it is not only asking residents to do their part but also doing it.
Marilyn McCain appreciated seeing the city take charge, saying, “It’s good to see the city take charge and lead the way, and then the residents feel a lot more confident in the journey that we’re on,”
By taking responsibility for its own properties, the city is building trust with the community and inspiring others to do the same.
A Safer, Stronger Future for Union City
The ultimate goal of Change Starts Here is to make Union City a place where people feel safe, proud, and connected.
With cleaner streets and fewer blighted buildings, the program hopes to reduce crime, attract new businesses, and increase property values.
Marilyn McCain believes these improvements will bring new energy and pride to the city, making it a place where everyone wants to live, work, and play.
Though the plans for the newly cleared lot on Roosevelt Highway are still a mystery, Mayor Williams promises that the transformation will be something residents will love.
The program’s approach to turning rundown areas into inviting spaces has people in Union City excited about what’s to come.
“Increase safety, invite people to come here to live, work, and play,” McCain said.
The vision is a Union City where every neighborhood feels like home and residents are proud of their homes.
With Change Starts Here, Union City proves that dedication and teamwork make change possible.
As Union City transforms neglected spaces into opportunities for growth, it sets a hopeful tone for the future.
