NEW ORLEANS —
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said it will take engineers two months to stabilize the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel before demolition of the building can begin.
During her end of year comments Thursday, Cantrell added that the city of New Orleans has already spent $6 million responding to the collapse and securing the site.
"The city did spend dollars associated with it," Cantrell said. "We have taken every step necessary in terms of risk management to ensure that we recoup the dollars that we put out."
Cantrell said she expects the developer and responsible parties will bear the cost of the demolition rather than the city.
"I don't see any challenges there as of today. I really don't see that," Cantrell said.
Part of the building's construction site collapsed on Oct. 12, killing three construction workers and forcing widespread evacuations to heavily-trafficked areas.
The bodies of two of the three workers killed in the collapse remain inside the building.
Last week, city leaders said crews will work to shore up parts of the building using supports, similar to car jacks, that would go up floor-by-floor. That process is estimated to take two months, after which crews should be able to recover the two bodies.
"We have made the decision, I made the call already as it relates to Mardi Gras, we will be avoiding the area altogether," Cantrell said.
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