‘Not adequate time’ to take down crane that collapsed during Milton, developer says

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A developer defended leaving up a construction crane that collapsed during Hurricane Milton, saying there wasn’t enough time to deconstruct the crane.

“I appreciate the proactive steps St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and his staff took to proactively notify and evacuate the area surrounding multiple developments in St. Petersburg prior to the storm when it was determined that there was not adequate time to safely dismantle the construction cranes,” Cats Red Apple St. Pete said in a statement.

Cats Red Apple St. Pete is the company responsible for the development of the Residences at 400 Central.

The developer said there was not enough time to fully take down the cranes, and partially disassembling them would have created more of a risk.

“Our primary concern is always the safety and well-being of both the on-site workers and the surrounding St. Petersburg community,” the statement reads. “I am grateful that there were no injuries or fatalities. I was saddened to learn about the damage to the adjacent property and the disruption to its commercial tenants.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis was asked Friday if there should be more regulations regarding construction cranes for hurricanes.

“Well I think the question is should there be more regulations, or should there just be more common sense?” DeSantis said.

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