MACON, Ga. — Macon-Bibb County says the downtown Ramada is set to come down on the first day of the new year, the county announced in a press release.
Macon-Bibb County says they are going to implode the old Ramada Hotel on 1st Street at 9 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2025.
“We’re starting the New Year with a bang," Mayor Lester Miller said in the press release.
Just as you hope your New Year's resolution sets the tone for the rest of the year, Miller painted the implosion as a recommitment to his blight fight initiative, tearing down decrepit and decaying buildings in Macon.
“The way you start your new year is how you spend your entire year, so we’re going big and taking down a blighted building, making way for economic and community development, and bringing people together to remember our past and celebrate our future, all at the same time,” Miller said in the release.
Plus, the county says that New Year's Day is the right time to demolish the building due to reduced traffic, businesses closed and trains running less frequently.
"This is going to be quite the sight, and with so many people having a connection to or memories of this building, we want to give them a chance to say goodbye … and then hello to what’s coming next,” Macon-Bibb Communications Chief Chris Floore said.
The contract with Target Contractors LLC was officially inked Friday, which included an agreement for the structure to be fully gutted by December 6th.
All drywall, flooring, ceilings, plumbing and HVAC systems are to be removed to make a clean slate ready for blast.
The company will be responsible for preparation, site control and access, safety, traffic control, and clean-up and removal plans.
While some have proposed other futures for the building, the county says that the 16-story building has been vacant for over a decade. They say the buildings had attracted vandalism, mold and other issues.
After multiple efforts to bring the property "back to life," Miller said it was time to give up on restoring the Ramada.
"It was time to recognize that we needed to take a more direct role in that area’s future if it is to grow like other areas,” Miller said. “That area has such great potential as a Downtown gateway…that we knew the opportunity was there to have a huge impact on the future of our city.”
Target Contractors has agreed to complete all work, including site restoration, within 180 days.