Page 18 - Yucaipa Valley Water District

California State
Polytechnic
University, San Luis
Obispo, recently
prepared an analysis
of the cities of Paso
Robles and Santa
Barbara and their
methods for
revitalizing downtown
areas through seismic
retrofitting of older
buildings, particularly
unreinforced masonry
Economic Engine: Seattle saw the retrofitting of its unreinforced masonry buildings as a win-win structures.
for the community. It protected lives and property and inspired façade upgrades that enhanced
the character and charm of the city’s popular downtown neighborhoods. Credit: City of Seattle.
Typically, structures in
need of seismic retrofitting are older in nature and frequently located within neighborhoods that are in
decline, the study said: “By implementing (seismic retrofits) before an earthquake or similar disaster
happens, a city can also take concurrent steps to foster the financing of necessary public infrastructure
improvement. Consequently, these improvements will make the economics of retrofitting a building
much more viable and achievable for the private property owner.” xxxviii

Overall, the study found, public/private efforts to retrofit these historic buildings are fostering a strong
economic climate in a central business district. “These partnerships are also critical in preserving the
architectural history and heritage of a community. Without this sort of positive economic climate and
these funding sources, the economic temptation to simply demolish (as opposed to retrofitting and
preserving) an older building that needs seismic work is almost overwhelming. If this occurs, we will be
th
in danger of losing the bulk of California’s 19 century architectural and historical heritage.” xxxix

Historically, many cities have offered financial incentives that not only help to improve the safety of
buildings through retrofits, but can enhance the aesthetics of a structure through façade improvements
and other upgrades. Zoning incentives such as density bonuses, reductions in development standards
and relief from nonconforming provisions can also incentivize building owners to perform seismic
retrofits and upgrades that promote building safety and revitalize communities for greater economic
xl
impacts.

Fullerton, in 1992, set up a seismic loan program through its redevelopment agency for the unreinforced
masonry buildings that lined its downtown area. The retrofit program was part of a larger downtown
revitalization effort called “Fullerton 2000 and Beyond,” which received a 1997-98 Achievement Award
from the California Downtown Association. Evidence of the success of that revitalization can be seen in
the transformation of the historic downtown core from a mishmash of pawnshops, tattoo parlors and
xli
vintage clothing stores to a vibrant destination of trendy restaurants, nightclubs and storefronts.
“The Redevelopment Agency’s seismic retrofitting, commercial rehabilitation, and tenant improvement
loan programs were clearly a crucial component of the downtown’s rebirth,” the Southern California
xlii
Association of Governments determined in an analysis of the city’s downtown transformation.

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Yucaipa Valley Water District - March 8, 2018 - Page 18 of 40