FUD Wrote:
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> The existence of the Cascadia subduction zone
> wasn't established until the 1960s. The fact that
> it's active and generates occasional large
> earthquakes wasn't confirmed until the late 1980s
> or 1990s. So a station built with unreinforced
> brick in the 1890s will certainly require major
> reconstruction to meet modern building codes and
> keep operating, historic landmark status
> notwithstanding. Essentially, they will have to
> put up a modern internal structure (probably with
> steel) and tie the old brick walls to it (as,
> essentially, a non-load-bearing facade). Plenty of
> that going on in Portland and elsewhere in the
> PacNW for smaller properties, but $250m seems a
> bit light for something on the scale of Portland
> Union.

They string cable across the interior ceiling so the bricks are pulled-in when a plus 5 quake shake's failure springs alive, to keep the bricks from blocking roads like they did in 1933. You can see the diamond shaped anchors on the exterior of the building. Would hate to work in the building when the day finally shows up! The natural gas explosions/fire will be a sight...and the broken underground liquid lines will be a hoot - "MY CELL PHONE DOES NOT WORK!" - We are doomed, today!