DPD has hired a consultant team to perform a benefits cost analysis on the unreinforced masonry (URM) retrofit policy options in the draft recommendations prepared by the URM Policy Committee in January 2013. The analysis will provide information on financing and regulatory implementation options that better align benefits and costs of a possible mandatory retrofit program for URMs. The report will provide more information to the Policy Committee before it makes its final recommendations, and will inform decisions by the Mayor and City Council on a mandatory retrofit program.
The analysis will be completed in the first quarter of 2014. The report has been delayed so that more financing and regulatory implementation options could be analyzed. Once DPD receives the final report, the URM Policy Committee will reconvene to review the report and adjust its recommendations as appropriate. This schedule change will result in a presentation to the City Council in the second quarter of 2014 with possible ordinance adoption later in the year.
In the meantime, DPD staff continues to get the word out about the policy development and how people can get involved. We are visiting Neighborhood District Councils and have hired consultants to run a pilot outreach and education campaign in Columbia City. The pilot will test out the most effective communication methods to reach Seattle’s diverse communities and result in a toolkit for future communication. As part of the pilot, DPD is working with the Department of Neighborhoods and the Public Outreach and Engagement Liaisons for outreach to cultural communities. DPD is also hosting a more traditional community meeting in November and all are welcome to attend.
When:
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
5:30 p.m.
Where:
Filipino Community Center
5740 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
If you would like to receive periodic updates on URM policy development please sign up for our listserv on our URM Policy, www.seattle.gov/dpd/codesrules/changestocode/
unreinforcedmasonrybuildings/whatwhy/. You can also send us comments via email DPD_URM_Policy_Committee_Comments@seattle.gov , or contact:
Sandy Howard
Project Manager
(206) 233-7194
sandy.howard@seattle.gov