Warrenton officials hope city improvements will help tourism

WARRENTON - City and county officials in Warrenton, west of Augusta, are hoping tourists will want to step back and spend time -- and money -- in and among the city&#39;s historic places. <br> <br> They&#39;ve begun working on ways to spruce up the town through renovations. <br> <br> The county has struggled for a long time to promote economic development by attracting industries. <br> <br> The town&#39;s gems include the downtown district and the Warrenton gymnasium, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There&#39;s also the Knox Theatre, which opened in 1936 and closed in 1997. County officials bought it in August and hope to renovate the art deco-style theater into a venue for classic movies. <br> <br> Two parks -- one a ``Walk of Fame&#39;&#39; that will feature famous Georgians and the other a veterans memorial park -- are planned for the downtown area. <br> <br> City and county officials also are working to improve infrastructure -- such as new water lines -- that will allow the area to grow.