Ramada Inn Flint

Looking at it today, it’s hard to imagine that the abandoned Ramada Hotel just off the Pierson Road exit of I-75 south of Flint was ever popular. The parking lot is overgrown, and most of the windows are broken, with curtains blowing in the breeze. But not so long ago it was one of the most successful hotels in the area.

The Sheraton Motor Inn, a 190-room hotel was built in 1968. Visitors remember it as an attractive, medium-priced motel with amenities like a swimming pool, fitness center, and restaurant. Notable guests included actor Dom DeLuise, boxer Leon Spinks, and musician Alice Cooper. Local residents frequented the restaurant and the swimming pool.

In 1990, the hotel became a Ramada Inn and was renovated. As Flint trended downward so did hotel traffic, and the hotel lost its franchise with Ramada in 2004.

In April of 2005, fire destroyed the pool and fitness center. Another fire in February of 2006 caused $250,000 in damage, forcing the hotel to close. Both fires were ruled to accidental. Genesee County attempted to seize the property for non-payment of taxes, but lost in court.

After closing in 2006, the hotel was abandoned until the county demolished in 2015.