The unstable wreckage of the Hard Rock Hotel building needs to be shored up and stabilized before the recovery of deceased construction worker entombed inside can be recovered.
New Orleans Fire Chief Timothy McConnell says the city has set a Friday deadline for plans to be submitted for stabilizing the structure, recovering the bodies from the collapse site, and plans for a controlled demolition of the structure. Four contractors and engineers are working with the owners of the building on proposals right now. McConnell reiterates the owners of the building will be responsible for paying for the stabilization, recovery and demolition efforts
At a press conference Tuesday McConnell confirmed the structure is still dangerous, telling WWL-TV, "The building collapsed, and we don't know why. We're afraid of another collapse."
The building has been held in state since the explosion of the two damaged construction cranes. Two storms has moved through, and officials have warned rainfall may cause collapsed floors held in place by gravity and friction may slip if wet.
"There is nobody pushing harder than the city for this to happen quickly, but it takes time," McConnell said.
For the time being, the site and surrounding area remains off-limits; with dozens of businesses shuttered with no idea when they can reopen.
Colin Arnold, Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says City and State officials are trying to set up relief loans for the affected businesses from the Small Business Administration.