Downtown Madison building to be demolished

Property owner discusses challenges to rebuilding

  • Betty Gene’s restaurant was destroyed in the July 2025 fire, and the gutted portion of the building was recently demolished. After multiple challenges resulted, owner Preston Snyder says he has no choice but to demolish the rest of the building. CONTRIBUTED
    Betty Gene’s restaurant was destroyed in the July 2025 fire, and the gutted portion of the building was recently demolished. After multiple challenges resulted, owner Preston Snyder says he has no choice but to demolish the rest of the building. CONTRIBUTED
  • The New Morgan Hotel formerly inhabited the space currently occupied by The Sinclair and Community Roots Market until 1930, when the hotel was also consumed by fire. GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA
    The New Morgan Hotel formerly inhabited the space currently occupied by The Sinclair and Community Roots Market until 1930, when the hotel was also consumed by fire. GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA
    MAD Hospitality plans on making drastic changes in the near future, involving the demolition of one of downtown Madison’s more popular buildings.MAD Hospitality’s Betty Gene’s restaurant was formerly located at 292 Hancock St., alongside neighboring units, The Sinclair, and Community Roots Market. The diner was forced to relocate as a pop-up at the Buggy Works event space following...

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