MACON, Ga. — County officials have set a date for a safety forum for nearby business owners and residents ahead of the Ramada's New Year's Day implosion.
Downtown business owners and residents are invited to bring their questions to next week's forum set for Thursday, Dec. 19 at 3:30 p.m.
Target Contractors LLC is handling the $2.4 million project.
Project manager JJ Martin and other members of the Target team have worked with local public safety officials to define an "Exclusion Zone," or evacuation zone around the site at 108 First Street.
"So many are concerned that it's going to be this explosion, as we stated, and it's not an explosion, it's an implosion," Martin said. "In addition to that, it's similar to throwing a bowling ball in a swimming pool, makes a big splash."
That "splash" comes in the form of a dust cloud that Martin says comes with routine demo projects at the same scale as the Ramada.
The zone will be in place on Jan. 1 from 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The zone itself stretches from Third Street to New Street and Spring Street.
From north to south, it reaches from the Ocmulgee River to Mulberry Street.
As law enforcement closes the roads in the area, deputies will sweep the zone to make sure people aren't staying behind.
As law enforcement closes the roads, crews will go through the area to make sure people are not present.
""Within a few hours, it will be safe," Mayor Lester Miller said. "Watch it from a safe distance, listen out for all the details that we provide. [There's] great access on Coleman Hill, that's a good safe distance away. I will say you need to be upwind of everything if you plan on watching."
Martin started the conversation with businesses closest to the hotel several weeks ago to create customized safety plans to protect their nearby properties.
But for those not yet in the conversation, the county is welcoming downtown residents and business owners to the forum to get their questions answered.
"We're very well-versed in what it takes to get the job done," Martin said. "Doesn't mean that it's an easy task by any means. However, it's 100% achievable, as long as we have the right team. With Macon-Bibb County, we certainly do."