Iconic Hertz Tower Imploded After Hurricanes

A 22-story building in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that sat empty for almost 4 years was imploded on Saturday. Known originally as the Capital One Tower, the Hertz Tower turned into a stark symbol of the destruction wrought by hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020. The Hertz Tower was demolished in seconds by a series of controlled explosions, reducing it to a pile of rubble about five stories high.

Before its demolition, the structure had been a prominent city feature for over four decades. But the hurricanes left the tower in ruins, with shattered windows and tattered tarps covering it. According to The Advocate, the Hertz Investment Group, which owned the building, had long promised to repair it after settling with their insurer, Zurich, which it eventually did for an undisclosed sum. The city funded the $7 million demolition through private money; Hertz continues to own the property.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter described the event as "bittersweet," adding, "I know how hard the city tried to work with several development groups to see it saved, but ultimately... it proved to be too tall a task." The city, which is home to 80,000 residents, suffered an estimated $22 billion in damage from the twin hurricanes. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)