Lake Charles, Louisiana – The city of Lake Charles is preparing for a major demolition project as the Hertz Tower, formerly known as the Capital One Tower, is set to be imploded on Saturday, September 7, 2024. The privately owned property, which includes a 21-story tower, lower atrium, and sky bridge, will be demolished to make way for future development.
The implosion, scheduled to take place at approximately 8:00 a.m., will be carried out by Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI), a company with extensive experience in demolition projects. The tower is expected to be brought down to a height of around four to six stories, after which traditional excavation equipment will be used to remove all debris.
To ensure public safety, a series of road closures will be put in place in the downtown area, managed by law enforcement. The city has advised that properties located within the designated Exclusion Zone can be occupied during the implosion, but residents and business owners are asked to remain indoors with pets during the procedure.
The city has taken additional measures to ensure a seamless demolition process, hiring a third-party consultant, The Lemoine Company, LLC, to provide an extra layer of expertise. The contractor, Lloyd D. Nabors Demolition, has also subcontracted with CDI to handle the implosion.
The public is advised to view the implosion from outside the designated Exclusion Zone and to avoid trespassing on private property. A buffer zone will also be established on the water for the safety of boaters. The media has been allocated a designated area for coverage of the event.
Following the implosion, the site cleanup is expected to take approximately 90 days, after which the site will be development-ready. The future of the property remains undetermined, but any developments will need to comply with the city’s Downtown Development Code.
Residents and business owners can expect some disruptions on implosion day, but the city has assured that necessary precautions are being taken to ensure public safety. With the help of experienced contractors and consultants, the city is confident that the demolition process will be carried out efficiently and effectively.
