Hundreds gather to watch downtown Macon hotel implosion
The long-awaited implosion of the 16-story abandoned downtown Macon hotel took place on New Year’s Day morning. Hundreds gathered in the cold at Coleman Hill Park, most for the chance to witness an implosion for the very first time.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The long-awaited implosion of the 16-story abandoned downtown Macon hotel happened on New Year’s Day morning.
Hundreds gathered in the cold at Coleman Hill Park, most for the chance to witness an implosion for the very first time. Elaine Johnson says she was a bit nervous about the danger the demolition could cause to the area and people nearby.
“I like how they did it, with the boom, boom, booms, and it coming down safely,” Johnson said. “I’m so happy that everything worked out.”
Johnson, alifelong Macon resident, says her curiosity and fond memories at the former Ramada Plaza got her to bundle up and enjoy the show. Johnson says she’d been to countless wedding receptions with family and enjoyed many dinners with friends back in the hotel’s heydey.
“We used to like to meet in the restaurants and have crab legs,” Johnson said. “That was a big thing. It was one of the nicest hotels in that time.”
Melissa Wacter, another longtime Macon resident, was also impressed with the planning and execution of the implosion.
“It was neat and so quick,” Wacter said. “It was very neat to watch it. There was no damage around it. It was a surprise to see.”
Wacter says the hotel was the place to go for fun and laughs, but it’s even more dear to her heart than what that entertainment provided. A Christmas party there served as she and her now husband Alan’s first date, and the couple continued to make memories there throughout their relationship.
“While we were dating, we went several times when they had the comedy club,” Wacter said. “We saw Carrot Top there, and I think we saw Jeff Foxworthy there. And then when we got married, we stayed in the honeymoon suite the night we got married there.”
Many in the crowd say it’s memories like this that make Macon losing a part of its skyline so bittersweet. They expressed optimism about the freeing up of space that will allow for new opportunities in the heart of the place they call home.
“Maybe we can get some type of recreation to go with the riverfront,” Wacter said.
Johnson believes a new, luxurious hotel would best suit 108 First Street. She says whatever happens, she’s glad Macon-Bibb County stepped in to remove the abandoned property.
“I’m just hoping that we can enjoy it again, and I’m glad to be here to see it,” Johnson said.
The demolition cost nearly $2.5 million, which Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller expects the county to get back in SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) dollars this year. The county will work with a developer to determine what’s next for the property.
