Canadian hotel owner hopes to revitalize empty Macon building

The former Ramada Inn is under construction at the corner of First and Walnut Streets.

Head of hotel security, Mike Nipper, hopes construction will finish by the end of the year.

He’s dealt with multiple break-ins during construction, but not much of value has been taken.

He described one incident when someone smashed a window with a concrete block and stole liquor from a cabinet in a hotel restaurant.

The hotel has installed cameras to deal with future threats.

He says the owner, Ruby Sangha, wants to restore the hotel to its original state.

It was once a great hotel, Nipper said, and Sangha is passionate about restoring it.

Right now, furniture is strewn about the lobby area, as workers clean out the old rooms.

They’re cleaning windows and painting the interior of the building.