Coroner Identifies 17-Year-Old Jaques St. Ann in Fatal Plaza Tower Fall as New Orleans Weighs $28 Million Demolition
Updated
Updated · WDSU New Orleans · Aug 18
Coroner Identifies 17-Year-Old Jaques St. Ann in Fatal Plaza Tower Fall as New Orleans Weighs $28 Million Demolition
3 articles · Updated · WDSU New Orleans · Aug 18
Summary
Jaques St. Ann, 17, of Belle Chasse died of blunt force injuries after falling from a staircase inside New Orleans' blighted Plaza Tower, the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office said.
The city said Alexandra Land & Development, tied to late developer Joe Jaeger's estate, still owns the tower and is responsible for securing it against unauthorized entry under local ordinance.
Demolishing Plaza Tower would cost up to $28 million and the city says it would not recover that expense, pushing officials to pursue redevelopment instead.
One proposal would convert the building into affordable senior housing, though no final plan or timeline exists; the city said it hopes for financial closing and construction by Q2 2028.
A vigil for St. Ann is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Belle Chasse High School as questions over the long-vacant tower's future intensify.