Unreinforced Masonry

Earthquake Damage

Op-Ed: Portland Should Fully Commit to Earthquake Preparedness

An editorial calls for Portland, Oregon to approve a requirement that warning signs be placed on unreinforced historic buildings. An argument is made for further measures, and a greater sense of urgency.

October 6, 2018 - The Oregonian

Brick Apartments

Affordable Housing Stock and Earthquake Risk

The city of Seattle needs more affordable housing, like most cities. It also has almost 2,000 existing affordable units at "high risk" in the event of an earthquake.

February 27, 2018 - Crosscut

Seattle Brick Loft

Seattle's Seismic Risk Concentrated in Capitol Hill

Seattle's updated list of masonry structures at risk from earthquake includes many structures in the Capitol Hill district. Property owners are not currently mandated to retrofit the buildings they own.

May 1, 2016 - Capitol Hill Seattle Blog

When it Comes to Seismic Safety, It's Each City for Itself

Buildings constructed of unreinforced masonry get much if not most of the media's attention on seismic safety, but so-called 'soft story' wood buildings, often with garages on the ground floor, compose the greatest numbers of vulnerable buildings.

August 28, 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle

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