NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Civil District Court Judge Sidney Cates says the city of New Orleans can continue assessing the Plaza Tower. This comes a week after another judge blocked city-hired contractors from entering the building. Attorneys representing the building's owner say they filed a temporary restraining order because they weren't properly notified of the city's plans. Homeless encampment sweeps begin in New Orleans per order of Gov. Landry City Councilman JP Morrell disagrees. "They both argue. They've known about the city wanting to demolish the void since 2023, but somehow the notice wasn't sufficient. The judge said after all of that, he saw an imminent risk to the public and that it is important for the city to get in front of this and to move forward with demolition," said Morrell. The city plans to use $2.7 million on contractors to evaluate the building and discuss a possible demolition that could cost up to 30 million dollars. The project was set to begin on Jan. 8, but after the delay, the project could cost even more money. City Councilwoman Lesli Harris says even with the potentially higher price tag, public safety must still come first. "Safety really has no price when it comes to our citizens and visitors. If it costs a little more because we have contractors who are on site, that cost will be assessed on the owners of Plaza Tower," said Councilwoman Harris. Councilwoman Lesli Harris UNO officials to make ‘challenging’ furloughs amid structural budget deficit City officials believe the sooner contractors can get into the building, the quicker they can determine the project's next steps. "Those large marble slabs falling in any kind of major wind or other heat that would cause decay on top of that and just focus in the surrounding area and make sure that there is a manageable area for the public to access for danger out,' said Chief Administrative Officer for the City of New Orleans Gilbert Montaño. "Until we get our team in to look at it, we don't know because we cannot rely upon the representations of the owners because doing that has led to pieces falling off the building," said Morrell. Montaño says they are scheduling a meeting to move forward on the project and continue stabilizing the building for the sake of the public. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Newman's Nelson Stewart discusses decision to pursue new football opportunity at Westminster (Ga.) Potential for damaging cold next week Bonnabel hires Edna Karr Alum, LSU Champion as next head football coach California resident known as Sinaloa cartel's 'gun and ammo supplier' sentenced to prison Texas lawmakers urge Trump's Secretary of State pick to get tough with Mexico on water payments