Hi All,

Little has been said about damages in the Seattle area due to the Nisqually 2001 quake, yet today I came across this interesting article, which provides some information about expensive repairs.

Hotel Uses Quake Cleanup To Get Fresh Look

By Lisa Heyamoto
Seattle Times business reporter
TOM REESE / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Mark Soles restores masonry at the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel, which withstood the 2001 Nisqually earthquake with no structural damage. Cosmetic repairs, however, led to redecorating.

Some investments pay off in crucial moments.

When the Nisqually earthquake rattled the walls of the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle two years ago, workers held their breath as the rumble caused a 3-foot-high wave in the swimming pool and knocked loose much of the plaster on the building's ornate ceilings, walls and exterior.

But when the quake subsided, no structural damage had been done to the then-76-year-old building, thanks to $62.5 million the hotel invested about 20 years ago to bolster the structure and make seismic upgrades.

"That was the smartest investment we could have made," said General Manager Brian Flaherty. "It was just heartbreaking what happened to the building (aesthetically)."

(see link for full article)

• Seattle Times