A block-long, brick-and-mortar overhang in the city's popular Fremont District recently came crashing down in the middle of the night. While no one was injured, new clean-up chores quickly were coupled with the reality of closed businesses and long-term decision-making.
Many Pioneer Square buildings (22 was the last official count) remain closed and red-flagged because of the February 28th shaker. Business owners continue the difficult decisions of rebuilding or relocating--with no idea what would happen to an improved property when the next earthquake arrives.
In addition, the state capitol in Olympic reopened last week, but the 73-year-old building still has extensive cracking. Emergency repairs were made, yet the long-term fix could run $21 million, and state officials are counting on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay much of the cost.
Meanwhile, Seattle bigwigs are reluctant to take the Fremont collapse as an isolated incident. More cracks were recently discovered in the Alaskan Way Viaduct, bringing evening and weekend closures to the popular two-tiered thoroughfare that runs along the Elliott Bay waterfront. Engineers soon will be faced with the decision to demolish it, repair it, tunnel under it or replace it. The viaduct carries approximately 100,000 commuter cars a day.
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