MACON, Ga. — More than two years ago, Macon Mayor Lester Miller first floated the possibility of demolishing the old downtown Ramada.
Last June, when a federal judge threw out former owner Sangha Hospitality's bankruptcy filing, Miller said the county wouldn't buy the hotel unless it involved seats at the implosion.
Then, in December, Bibb County did buy the building, and the mayor said that sentiment didn't change.
Since they inked the deal, the mayor hinted an implosion would be in the hotel's future. On Tuesday, during a filming of Central Georgia Focus on 13WMAZ, Miller provided his ideal timeline for making that a reality.
Toilets, carpet and more all came out of the downtown hotel in recent weeks. All of that happened ahead of a possible demolition that could come this year. Lifetime Maconite Marcus Morris says he's noticed all the work, and Miller says there's a reason for that.
"Going to make it less expensive to tear a building down of that size," Miller said.
The mayor says there are other options the county has to cut costs. He's suggested the site would be good for a movie during an implosion. As it turns out, there's interest.
"I think a movie will probably film a location for on-site for part of the demo. We'll be responsible for the demo, but we'll get some kind of funds there for their participation in that," Miller said.
Morris says he's seen all sorts of movies come through town, like the new Superman filming at Terminal Station. He had a front-row seat to that set waiting for his bus Tuesday.
"I'm a movie buff. I want to see it. I think it's exciting," Morris said.
As for all the filmmakers interested in Central Georgia, he thinks it's all promising.
"Overall, I think it's a good thing. Some people might look down on it, but I think it's a good thing overall," Morris said.
Miller hopes producers see the massive hotel and its demolition as a good thing too.
"We've got a couple options now. Some of those are well recognizable. I'd like to have that thing down within the year. So, if we could have that down to start 2025 out with a bang, that would be great," Miller said.
Miller says any film crew that uses the building would pay the county, but it likely wouldn't cover all the expenses. That's why they're looking to sell what they can from inside the building and recycle some of the cement too.
Miller would not estimate the cost of demolishing the building.