VIDEO: Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce building has been torn down

MACON, Ga. — Bibb County leaders hosted a demolition of the former Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce Building on Coliseum Drive on Wednesday as the organization moves to a new permanent spot in Downtown Macon

“The Greater Chamber of Commerce’s new home in the heart of Downtown Macon has been a great move for all, and we’re excited to see it grow,” Mayor Lester Miller said. “It’s out with the old and in with the new, but this building holds a lot of history, and we want to give it a proper goodbye.”

The old chamber building first opened in 1974 and also housed the Downtown Council, Discover Macon and the Urban Development Authority.

The building was officially torn down after a press conference at the site that happened at around 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. 

There, Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce's President Jessica Walden said that -- while it is a little bit emotional -- it is progress towards greater things. 

"This building has a lot of sentimental value to a lot of us out here today," Walden said. "It's the businesses and the people of Macon-Bibb County that really make a difference."

At the press conference, Miller said that the organizations that called the chamber building home have done a ton of great work. But he said that it will allow for a bigger and better future for the area.

"We're proud of all the things that have come out of this building [so] today is bittersweet," Miller said. "But this building must make way for the next project on this property, and we're excited about what lies ahead for Macon-Bibb County and this particular area -- to make Macon the place we all love and know it can be."

The county says the removal will increase parking for the Macon Centerplex. The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce has moved now to the 300 block of Poplar Street.

Here's a look at the demolition of the facility: 

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