Storm-toppled crane removed from St. Pete building

A tower crane that had been precariously wedged into a downtown St. Petersburg office building for nearly two weeks was finally removed on Wednesday afternoon. The crane was toppled by the powerful gusts of Hurricane Milton, landing on the neighboring office building at 490 1st Ave. S. This crane was part of the construction site for the Residences at 400 Central, a luxury condominium project that has been under development.

The incident raised concerns about safety and operational disruptions in the downtown area, prompting swift action from Lincoln Property Group, the crane's owner. Following its removal, the company plans to assess the damage caused by the crane and the hurricane's winds, ensuring that the site remains secure for future construction efforts. Local residents and businesses are relieved to see progress in restoring normalcy after the incident. The challenges of the situation highlight the impact of severe weather on urban construction projects. As the community moves forward, stakeholders will be closely monitoring safety protocols and restoration timelines.