The Skyline of Lake Charles is changing as the tall, mirrored Hertz building is finally coming down. It has been four years since the building sustained significant damage in Hurricane Laura leaving multiple broken glass panes to greet travelers on I-10. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says they are making sure the taxpayers are not footing the bill for the demolition.
“We had money set aside from the private insurance settlement to make sure that, if this day did indeed come, that there were private dollars set aside to tear down this structure, which the city does not own,” Hunter said.
Hunter says the city does not own the Hertz Building but he is among many who wanted to save it. He and city officials met with a least a dozen private developers in hopes of finding a way.
“We offered assistance, we offered incentives. Ultimately, private industry was not able to save this building,” Hunter said.
Staging for demolition will begin around May 20th and the building is expected to come down in Late August to Early September. Hunter says city consultants are there to ensure a safe event and he promised that whatever replaces the structure will be better than the current view.
“That building and that property lies within the Downtown Development District, meaning there are ordinances and parameters that will encourage something replacing that building which will complement and benefit downtown Lake Charles,” Hunter affirmed.