The Ramada Hotel, once a prominent fixture of the Macon skyline, is preparing for its final curtain call. Scheduled for implosion on New Year’s Day, 2025, the former 16-story hotel at 108 First Street has witnessed decades of history, hosting notable guests such as Elvis Presley, the Jackson 5, and Prince. The decision to bring the hotel down had been set against the backdrop of its prolonged vacancy, as it has lain abandoned since 2011 after experiencing financial challenges.
According to reports from WGXA, crews have been busy with final preparations leading up to the big event, employing Target Contractors to manage the implosion. The execution plan involves using a small amount of explosives to strategically weaken the structure, allowing gravity to facilitate the hotel’s descent. Residents will be kept at bay, as Macon-Bibb County has enforced an exclusion zone for safety, where only authorized personnel will have access from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the day of the planned demolition.
The hotel, which originally opened its doors as a Hilton back in 1969, stood as one of the tallest buildings in the Macon-Bibb County area, making it a significant landmark. Its closure over ten years ago marked the start of its decline, but the upcoming implosion has sparked both nostalgia and excitement within the community.
Memories are flooding back for long-time Macon residents, especially those who recall the lively atmosphere and VIP experiences held within its walls. One such resident, Dave Rozier, shared his unforgettable encounter with Prince during the hotel’s prime. Rozier reminisced about the night of April 26, 1980, when he was at the Ramada for his prom, which coincided with Prince's concert at the nearby Macon Coliseum. "We happened to plan our prom on the same night as Prince and Rick James were performing, and half of us jumped up to try and meet them when we heard he was in the lobby," he recalls.
Rozier vividly remembers speaking with the artist, who was adorned with jade and turquoise jewelry and invited him to try on some of his accessories. "My baseball coach was chaperoning, and his knees kind of buckled when he saw who I was with," Rozier chuckled. After sharing moments filled with laughter and excitement, the meeting concluded when Prince graciously shook Rozier's hand and wished everyone to have a safe trip home. His fond memory is preserved through the autograph Prince left him, now over four decades old, which serves as both a reminder of their encounter and the glamorous history of the Ramada.
The excitement isn't just confined to Macon’s residents; visitors are also gearing up to witness this historic moment. Kyle Nelson, who drove 19 hours from Howland, Maine, expressed his anticipation for the event. "I drove all the way down; honestly, I didn’t expect it to be so close to the surrounding buildings from what I saw online and on TV. It was quite shocking," Nelson said as he scouted the best viewing spots. His enthusiasm mirrored the community's sentiment, reflecting the hotel’s legacy and the unique memories it has etched within the city's history.
Although the hotel has become just another chapter destined for closure, its stories and the connections it forged will linger among the residents, ensuring its legacy remains alive, even as it meets its end. The Ramada’s implosion beckons both closure for some and nostalgia for many—a reminder of the vibrant history wrapped up within those brick walls, now set to be lost to dust and memory on January 1, 2025.