Teenager dies after falling in abandoned high-rise tower in New Orleans

Key Points:

• Seventeen-year-old Jacque St Ann died after falling from a height inside the abandoned 45-story Plaza Tower in downtown New Orleans while urban exploring with friends, highlighting the dangers of neglected city properties.
• The Plaza Tower has been derelict since before Hurricane Katrina in 2005, with ownership by Alexandria Land & Development LLC, which faces criticism for failing to secure or redevelop the building despite city fines and court orders.
• New Orleans officials condemned urban exploration in unsafe, boarded-up buildings and pledged to increase patrols around Plaza Tower, emphasizing the owner's responsibility to secure the site and considering possible legal action for trespassing or negligence.
• The city is pursuing redevelopment plans for Plaza Tower, including seeking a “Difficult to Develop Area” designation to aid financing, but no specific timeline or demolition requirement currently exists for the privately owned property.
• Jacque’s family and school mourned his loss, with the school offering counseling support for students and staff affected by the tragedy.