DPD continues to evaluate policy and program development for an unreinforced masonry (URM) seismic retrofit program. The URM Policy Committee asked DPD to validate the inventory list of URMs identified by DPD before the committee finalizes its policy recommendations. DPD is in the process of hiring a structural engineer to do the validation to confirm that the buildings on the list are URMs and to add any additional URM buildings that may be identified. As part of the validation, the structural engineer will research whether URM buildings have been demolished or retrofitted, and evaluate whether the retrofits meet the proposed seismic upgrade standard. DPD will use the validation results to create an updated map and list of URMs. Once the list is updated, DPD will reconvene the Policy Committee to discuss final recommendations for the program.
DPD will continue to provide periodic updates on the website and email list. Sign up for our listserv on our URM Policy webpage. You can also send us comments via email DPD_URM_Policy_Committee_Comments@seattle.gov , or contact Sandy Howard, the Project Manager for the URM Retrofit Policy development.
Sandy Howard
(206) 233-7194
sandy.howard@seattle.gov